Guyana Times Daily

09 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 2804

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

PRICE

3 days after historic elections

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Still no final LGE results

Leguan rice farmers to sue miller for paddy payments

Page 3

– GECOM dodges media

Another inmate sets fire to burn down Camp Street Prison

$80 vat included

P17

2 shot in separate city robberies Page 16

Page 2

Linden youths evicted from LEN office

... "Is this the good life?" – they asked during protest in mining town

Page 12 “Is this the good life?” several youths from the Linden community asked on Monday as they protested their eviction from the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), Mackenzie

Man jailed for Fire Service cannabis battling over cultivation; illegal 60 bush guns, ammunition fires per week El Niño conditions

Page 8

Page 9

LGE 2016

Guyana’s voter turnout better than US, UK and Canada figures - diplomats

Page 7

Carifesta Ave crash leaves 2 injured P17 Mazaruni prisoners decry treatment at facility P16

Timehri trio charged with murder of P2 Soesdyke farmer Fresh calls for Govt to release Rodney CoI P7 Report – JWRC concerned at PNC, other parties' deafening silence on findings

2 news

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Another inmate sets fire to burn down Camp Street Prison

By Devina Samaroo

T

he quick response from Prison Services officers prevented what could have been another prison riot after a lone inmate started a fire within his cell with the sole intention of destroying the facility.

Less than three weeks after the deadly prison

hold cell”, which is adjacent to Capital C. He explained that the individual had set some of his clothes afire with the intention of burning down the building.

According to Graham, the inmate did not appear disgruntled nor did he express any particular reason for setting the fire.

Guyana Fire Service (GFS) officers were out in their numbers.

The area was already cordoned off and the servicemen were making regular patrols.

Ranks of the Tactical Services Unit were also present at the scene.

Canada-based Attorney Selwyn Pieters, who is representing the Prison Service and the Police Force at the ongoing Commission of Inquiry (CoI), also visited the Prison.

He told media operatives that the matter was currently being investigated and charges were expected to be laid soon.

TSU ranks deployed to the scene to keep the situation under control

riot, the fire erupted at the Camp Street penitentiary on Monday afternoon.

Director of Prisons, Carl Graham told Guyana Times that the prisoner was housed in a section called the “strong-

“All he said was that his intention was to burn the prison down,” Graham stated.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks and

Camp Street Prison on Monday

“That’s being investigated right now by the criminal investigations unit and charges will be laid as appropriate,” he noted.

The historic prison riot that erupted at the overcrowded jailhouse intermittently over three days claimed the lives of 17 criminals while injuring several others and prison officers.

The unrest prompted the establishment of the CoI to probe the circumstances that led to the disturbance and to review the overall prison system with the aim of making recommendations for prison reforms.

The Guyana Fire Service truck exiting the scene

Authorities suspect that the prisoners got aggressive and began to behave unruly because several contraband items, including cellular phones, were confiscated during a Police raid of the facility.

The rioting escalated into utter chaos after prisoners ripped down the walls of the prison, broke out of their cells, and engaged in a faceto-face confrontation with the prison officers who were desperately trying to keep the situation under control.

The prisoners only settled down after Government officials, including State Minister Joseph Harmon and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan met and negotiated with them.

The prisoners demanded better living conditions – a petition that was met by the Government.

Meanwhile, several prisoners have already given their testimony about the events that occur behind prison walls at the CoI.

Timehri trio charged with murder of Soesdyke farmer

P

Paul Gorriea, Keron Timothy Corbin and Donnel Trapp

aul Gorriea, Keron Timothy Corbin and Donnel Trapp all of Timehri, East Bank Demerara are expected to make their first court appearance today at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the murder of 60-year-old Anthony Breedy of First Hill, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The trio was supposed to appear in court on Monday, but the Police up to late that afternoon were seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the matter.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum later on Monday told Guyana Times that the Police have already instituted charges against the men and it was now for them to make their court appearance. He also noted that Gorriea had prior brushes with the law.

The battered body of Breedy was found in his home

two Mondays ago with his head bashed in and hands and feet bound. His SUV was also missing. Police, acting on intelligence, went to Nabaclis where they arrested Gorriea who was in possession of the dead man’s ATM card as well as the missing SUV. A female companion of the now dead man was also arrested.

After his arrest, he confessed to the murder and implicated Trapp and Corbin.

They were subsequently arrested in Ithaca, West Bank Berbice in a house when Police and members of the SWAT Team swooped down on them.

After their arrest, they took investigators to a location where they had hidden a gun and matching ammunition. During their subsequent interrogation, they also admitted that they had conspired to commit the heinous crime.

news

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tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 22 - 14:30h-16:00h and Wednesday, March 23 - 05:00h-06:30h.

3 days after historic elections

Still no final LGE results

– GECOM dodges media

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 22 - 15:50h-17:20h and Wednesday, March 23 - 16:25h-17:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers can be expected throughout the day. Lightly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly between 4.47 metres and 5.81 metres per second.

High Tide: 03:58h and 16:15h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.61 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:50h and 22:07h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.60 metre respectively.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

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GECOM's PRO Tamara Rodney, Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally and CEO Keith Lowenfield

By Edward Layne

T

hree days after Guyanese voted in what were termed “historic” Local Government Elections (LGE), held after a 24-year hiatus, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not been able to release the final results.

On Saturday, GECOM blamed the delay in declaring the full results on a request for recounts in East Berbice.

Those recounts were completed since about 16:00h on Saturday, but almost 72 hours later, the electoral body is still to announce the results of the elections in which just over 239,000 persons or 47.1 per cent of voters cast their ballots.

GECOM, through its Public Relations Officer, Tamara Rodney, on Monday, released an analysis of the

voting, but did not release the results.

When contacted by Guyana Times about 16:30h, Rodney said that she was “heading down” to the Information Technology Department where the results were being uploaded.

But, up to 23:00h, the results were not uploaded to the GECOM website nor were they released via email.

When asked why GECOM was deviating from its tradition of announcing the results via a news conference, Rodney said that was the call of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

It is important to note that on Sunday, Rodney had given media houses the goahead to contact Returning Officers (ROs) for the various constituencies to seek

2 men shot in separate city robberies

T

he Police are investigating two separate shooting incidents which occurred in the city late Monday evening. Reports are a bus driver and a fast-food delivery man were shot when gunmen pounced on them.

This newspaper was told that the bus driver

was shot at the Linden bus park after the gunman demanded his day’s earning, while the delivery man was shot at Lamaha Gardens while delivering chicken.

Both men are at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing their injuries.

out the results from them.

She provided the media with the personal cellular phone contact for those ROs, but an hour later, the Commission contacted the media asking it to hold on this.

“I know I would have given you the ROs’ numbers to expedite the information flow on LGE, but kindly put a hold on calls to these numbers since I will provide a summary of the results,” the PRO said in an email at 15:53h.

The efforts by media houses to get results from ROs had been proving futile.

Contacted again, the PRO said it was not possible at the time to provide the information.

Despite these results not forthcoming, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic has claimed victory at the polls, announcing Saturday that it won more than 60 per cent of the votes – some 748 seats with nine Regions, while Government has 406.

Many observers have criticised the electoral body

for its slothfulness in declaring election results over the years.

They say it is particularly disturbing that GECOM with so many years of experience and having managed so many elections still find it difficult to declare the results of an election in which just over 230,000 ballots were cast.

It was the strong view of many that this recent episode demonstrated the level of incompetence that inhibited GECOM and they urged that major stakeholders, including political parties and the diplomatic community urgently address these deficiencies at such an important institution in the country.

Following the May 2015 General and Regional Elections, the PPP/C had been calling for massive reforms at GECOM, claiming the body was incompetent to manage a proper elections.

Those calls were rebuffed

by GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

However, this recent episode seems to give much credence to the PPP/C’s claims.

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tuesday, march 22, 2016

Views General Editor: Michael Younge News Hotliine: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Cuba and Obama R

elations between the US and Cuba took a major step towards normalisation with Barack Obama becoming the first American President to land on the island after 88 years. Grover Cleveland had arrived in a battleship in 1928, when the US was firmly in control of the country and its economy and supporting a dictatorial president quite openly. In the intervening years, much water has flowed under the US-Cuban bridge, unfortunately most of it muddy.

The background to the Cuba-US conflict is intertwined with our own history and to a certain extent some of the dynamics unfortunately still linger into the 21st Century.

The Cuban President welcoming Grover Cleveland had been violently pushed out and one of the participating Cuban army officers (Batista) eventually manoeuvred to replace him — including supporting American interests. Batista ruled despotically between 1933-1944 and 1952-1959.

Fidel Castro's ejection of the Batista dictatorship through a hard fought guerrilla war, interestingly enough engendered quite favourable comment in the US, but as soon as he embarked on nationalising some of the land occupied by American businesses to distribute to impoverished Cuban peasants, he raised eyebrows in the US government. This soon turned to outright hostility when Castro indicated he was opening up trading relations with the Soviet Union.

In an age when the US largest trading partner, which more than any other power, it helped to develop into the economic powerhouse it is today, is communist China, it might sound incongruous to learn that Cuba became America's number one enemy because it sought to develop relations with the USSR — condemned for being "communist". But that was back in the days of the Cold War between the US and the USSR when "the friend of my enemy was my enemy".

That Cuba had nationalised American businesses and was developing into an ally of the USSR sealed its fate. A bungled invasion by the Americans at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 to remove Castro embarrassed them and precipitated the policy enunciated by John F Kennedy: "No other Cubas will be allowed in the hemisphere". And because Cheddi Jagan was suspect of heading in that direction, his goose was cooked that same year when he failed to make the right noises to the Americans.

But as hopefully we all know, the USSR fissioned and fell like Humpty Dumpty by 1989 and became a capitalistdriven economy. All was forgiven by the US to all of the former allies or suspected fellow travellers of the USSR — and in our case, the free and fair elections of 1992 ensued.

But the sanctions, especially an economic embargo slapped on Cuba in 1960, was stubbornly kept in place.

Most outsiders have been taken aback at the retention of the embargo into the present, even in the face of an annual call by the UN General Assembly — supported by all the allies of the US with the notable exception of Israel — calling for its end.

Domestically, the presence of a large number of Cuban Americans in Florida created a domestic Anti-Cuba lobby, funnelled through the Republican Party — against normalisation. Some travel restrictions were lifted starting with President Clinton's administration and in 2014, after an exchange of "political prisoners" the Obama administration began signalling it was ready to end the embargo.

Polls also showed that a majority of Americans supported that move and that even Cuban-Americans were shifting their stance.

In his State of the Union message earlier this year, President Obama called for Congress to end the blockade, but was stymied by Republican Senators such as Marco Rubio, now running for the Republican Presidential candidacy.

In the meantime, ahead of his historic visit, President Obama used his prerogative to issue "Executive Orders" to reduce several restrictions against travel and trade with Cuba.

It would seem, even with the Republican obduracy, the end of the Cuban embargo might be in sight.

President David Granger presents two hampers to Guyana’s latest centenarian, Charles Allicock, at his birthday party

Court-ordered recount was done quickly in Jamaica but not in Guyana

Dear Editor, It can never be understood why counting and certifying ballots take several days in Guyana when other countries declare their winner the same evening or why the court takes almost forever to ad-dress an election petition in Guyana.

Jamaica, St Vincent, Trinidad, etc all held elections in recent months and the winner was known the same evening. In Guyana, the outcome is always contentious.

Election petitions in those territories are also quickly disposed of, often changing the outcome of an election.

In Guyana, the defeated PPP/C filed an election petition (to force a recount or) to vitiate the results of last May’s General Elections.

Some nine months later, the matter is yet to be determined. Jamaica held elections on February 25. Ballots were counted and a winner (JLP) declared that very evening

(33 seats for opposition JLP and 30 for incumbent PNP).

There was a request for a recount of ballot boxes in some constituencies. The Jamaica Election Commission (JEC) opted to recount all ballots of all 63 seats and it was done in less than two days although Jamaica had almost three times the number of electors as Guyana.

In Guyana, it took some four days to count and certify the ballots. There was a PPP/C request for a recount of ballots before the official declaration of the outcome. Gecom initially agreed and then decid-ed against a recount on the objection of the Ambassadors of the ABC countries; while they object to recounts in Guyana, electoral recounts are routine in UK, US and Canada.

The PPP/C then requested a recount of some ballot boxes in Georgetown and in the region where it lost a seat by one vote and where there

were some 50 spoilt votes all in favour of PPP/C as per voter intention. PPP/C stated it would abide by the recount numbers. Gecom agreed and then decided against a recount (at the objection of the ABC countries?). An official winner (APNU+AFC) was declared (33-32).

In Jamaica, a candidate sought court intervention for another count. A magisterial recount was held within days, reversing the official outcome.

Initially, JEC officially stated JLP won a seat by 137 votes.

On the recount that was ordered by the magistrate court, the PNP won by nine votes.

That is the final outcome and the final result is 32-31 in favour of JLP (Incidentally 32 seats are needed for government formation and so the government is barely surviving). While the recount was being done, there was an atmosphere of calm; Jamaicans went about their business and daily routine nor-mally.

The same was not the case in Guyana where the atmosphere was very tense and shops shut-tered for a week.

So a count and a recount of ballots can be done and it affected the outcome. It was carried out in a fel-low Caricom nation. It is noted that the Jamaica Election Commission did a recount of all ballots to satis-fy the public interest as well as the parties. Not satisfied, the losing candidates had the option of going to the court to address any discrepancy.

The court intervened within days and ordered a recount in one seat.

It is inexplicable why Gecom could not mount a similar recount as in Jamaica to satisfy the public inter-est (amidst all the allegations and counter allegations of improprieties) or why the court is taking so long to determine a simple electoral matter.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

How is the Boerasirie Conservancy being managed?

Dear Editor, In a letter to the editor on March 20, Ganga Persaud a rice farmer from Hague, West Coast Demerara claimed that GuySuCo has been hogging the available irrigation water from the Boerasirie Conservancy to the detriment of other users. The Conservancy extends from Potosi, West Bank Demerara to the Bonasika River on its western boundary and is intended to provide irrigation water for sugar, rice and mixed farming cultivations along its perimeter. Waramia is a relief sluice for the Conservancy and not a reservoir.

Management of the Boerasirie Conservancy and its resources rests with

the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), a Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and not with GuySuCo. Therefore, NDIA decides how the available water in the Conservancy is distributed to all users including those in the declared Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) areas such as the rice growers at Hague, Tuschen and the mixed produce farmers at Parika as well as GuySuCo. In foregone days NDIA directly managed the water distribution from its conservancies but in recent times it has delegated most of its authority to the NDC’s whose management skills leave much to be desired, causing ‘feast and famine’ with respect to the availability of water for rice

farmers at critical times while GuySuCo a governmentowned subsidiary appears to have first preference on water from the conservancies.

NDIA and its agents have the responsibility for the control, management and regulation of all the conservancies.

As is evident, they have failed to carry out their mandate resulting in poor service for all users.

The full supply levels of the conservancies should not be drawn down by unused releases to lower levels without assured predictions of heavy rains to prevent overtopping since when the need do arise as is the current situation, insufficient water will be available at lower conservancy levels to meet the needs for all

crops.

Pumping helps to top up the conservancies but it would be unable to restore sufficient gravity irrigation to the fields if it starts when conservancy levels are at dead storage.

Hence the plight of the farmers to get the water onto their fields without auxiliary pumping from the feeder canals as NDIA was too late in its primary pumping to provide them with gravity irrigation. Persaud needs some answers as to how the Boerasirie Conservancy is managed to provide a fair distribution of its water to all users. After all they are paying taxes for this service.

Yours faithfully, Charles Sohan

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Viraat Sabhaa Guyana extends Jaguar attacks in Region 2 Holi greetings to all Guyanese Dear Editor, Holi or Phagwah is a seasonal festival which predates the Vedic era. From remote antiquity, this festival was celebrated with great pomp and joy by all cross section of the Hindu community.

Phagwah symbolizes the freedom from confinement in every regard. It is a time when nature exhibits its beauty with the introduction of the spring season. With the advent of spring, Life blooms in every kingdom. The plants, animals, birds and human welcome and celebrate the freedom influenced Mother Nature’s hospitality.

The season offers many opportunities for human reflection. Every human being should aspire to be a product of Liberation. In simple, man should recognize he is more a product of divinity rather than sin. Liberation, the high point of the Hindu Life can only be achieved when the divine inherent potentialities in the individual is explored and exploited to its fullest extent.

The capacity for such an exploration solely depends on the discriminate power of the aspirant i.e. to be loyal to our conscience rather than be a slave to our minds and senses.

Phagwah also sends the message of integration and cohesion. The multi colors associated with the festival is

a clear testimony of varieties adding to nature’s beauty.

It is the conflagration of different flowers that influences the delight of the gardener likewise when there is human integration and cohesion, God the great gardener becomes delighted. The changing season also send the undisputable message of the dynamics of changes. All changes at every level are influenced by Mother Nature’s hospitality , whether the movement of sea shells, the flow of the river, and the changes in body structure or even organizational changes all inevitably are materialized by the power of nature and should be accepted like the different seasons. The phenomenal changes of Life are transitory and are not considered adversely by the wise.

The message of good triumphing of evil must not be over looked. The story of Bhakt Prahalaal and his tyrant father Hiraanyakasipu should never be forgotten.

There is no crime in civil resistance. Bhakt Prahalaal never resorted to violence; he excluded himself from the political affairs of the kingdom which was ruled through dictatorship. He didn’t allow himself to be bullied by the opposing forces created by his father. As a matter of

fact, he never wanted to inherit a kingdom that is rooted in violence and atrocities.

It was this type of resistance Mahatma Gandhiji emulated to confront his oppressors.

Gandhiji’s victory over the British opperssors was a clear indication that hate, violence and war are not the answers to any crisis.

It is Bhakt Prahalaal who set the standard to befriend the one all pervasive God and strengthens his faith with that all- powerful lord to weaken the dictatorship of his father and to create a new epoch where righteousness and Dharm was established.

Holi is also a time for sharing. It is a time when farmers and peasant celebrate the harvesting of their crops and at the same time, indulge in Yagnas and Pujas, thanking God for his benedictions and also securing blessings for their future crops. Basant therefore sends a universal message, which has the potentialities to remove hopelessness and reinstate confidence.

May all be blessed through the significance of the festival.

The Viraat Sabhaa Guyana extends Holi greetings to all Guyanese.

Dear Editor, I write in connection with the utter disgust that is senselessly perpetrated on hapless motorists on the East Bank Demerara by policemen. It is now the norm rather than the exception that policemen are always conducting random checks on the roadway at Providence and Grove Police Stations. During the rushhours there is always a buildup of traffic in these two areas which can be disgusting, frustrating and tantamount to an exercise in futility which can only be described as idiotic. Apart from these two

points, police conduct random checks in other areas including Eccles, Diamond, Hope, Friendship, Coverden, etc.

After a hard days’ work it is an absurdity to be subjected to a traffic crawl on your way home at the whims and fancies of some uncouth policemen. On Sunday 13 March, 2016, I was stopped for random checks at Providence, Diamond, Grove and Hope while driving to Soesdyke.

My description of this being “idiotic” is putting it mildly, as no motorist would be stopped in any other part of the world or rather planet earth, on four

successive occasions for random checks within a distance of about ten miles.

This continuous nightmare falls under the purview of the Commandeer of A Division who incidentally lives on the East Bank Demerara and who should be aware of this detestable imposition. He turns a blind eye. The Commissioner appears toothless and sadly, the traffic chief is now incapacitated through an accident.

It will be interesting to identify the source of authority that is responsible for this unjustifiable police harassment stated herein and, to whom a com-

Pandit Ravi President of the Viraat Sabhaa Guyana

Dear Editor, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promptly responded to reports of Jaguar attacks on livestock in Region 2, by conducting investigative visits to the three affected communities of Lima Sands, Tapakuma and Whyaka Mainstay.

During the visits, detailed discussions were held with the affected communities which pointed to the need for the Jaguar situation to be treated with urgency. As such, the EPA started to conduct awareness sessions with the communities encouraging them to keep livestock and cattle in enclosures to deter the Jaguar(s) and thus preventing their animals from becoming easy prey. As a last recourse, traps were built, by both community members and the EPA team, and set at strategic locations in the communities where the Jaguar(s) are known to frequent.

The EPA received news on Friday, February 19, and Thursday, March 11, 2016, that a female and a male (on the later date) jaguar were caught in the traps set. On receipt of this news from residents of the Mainstay community, the EPA quickly coordinated with the Wildlife Management Authority, Protected Areas Commission, Transport and Harbour, Anna Regina Police Station,

and Guyana Livestock Development Authority for the safe transport and relocation of the Jaguars. Officers of the EPA and the Wildlife Management Authority accompanied by a veterinarian then promptly travelled to Mainstay on both occasions to secure the Jaguars and ensure their safe transport to Georgetown. The Jaguars were relocated to the Guyana Zoological Park where they were allowed to acclimatise for 3-4 days before patrons were able to view them.

The EPA wishes to bring to the public‘s attention that while in both cases, trapping and relocating were the last recourse, there are many preventive measures to deter the Jaguar from attacking livestock, and from entering your community.

The Jaguar is the largest cat of the Americas, weighing up to 100kg (220 pounds).

Their big bodies need a lot of food and they prey on forest dwellers such as peccaries (bush hogs), deer, tapir (bush cow), turtles, armadillos to maintain their body mass.

Being a predator at the top of the food chain, Jaguars play an important role in maintaining a healthy environment, for example, simply by controlling the population of animals lower down the food chain.

But why are Jaguars coming into villages? The simple

A nightmare driving on the East Bank road plaint can be made.

The situation is further exacerbated by some policemen whose level of traffic control and ability to manoeuvre directional changes to ensure a coordinated flow of traffic are poor and leaves a lot to be desired. Again, this is quite evident on the East Bank where the functions of the Traffic lights at Eccles, Demerara Harbour Bridge and Diamond are often being usurped by police ranks whose intervention create confusion rather than alleviate traffic congestion.

This is also being manifest-

ed with regularity at Regent and King Streets much to the disgust and annoyance of motorists.

It is regrettable that articles of this nature which should generate remedial action are generally considered inconspicuous jargon and at best, relegated to the archives for reference.

It is any wonder that policemen have been known to solicit help to be transferred to the traffic department? The obvious reason lies in the wallets of motorists.

Concerned motorist

answer is: food. Jaguars are shy by nature. Fortunately, there are still a few thousand Jaguars left in Guyana, but even people that walk the forests frequently do not see them because these predators tend to be elusive, hiding from sight and avoiding interaction.

While the quest for food may be a reason for Jaguars “trespassing” into human space, old age or injuries have been also known to cause these cats to encroach into villages. Also, when the animal can no longer hunt agile, alert wild prey, they will try to survive on the more sluggish and less vigilant domestic animals. Additionally, a healthy but young individual in search of its own territory could also accidentally stumble upon the richness of easy foods near homes and decide that this area serves perfectly well as a territory.

It is possible that the encroachment of the Jaguar(s) into the Region 2 communities is linked to the long dry season currently being experienced. With the forest being very dry at present, regular prey may have moved closer to water sources. As such, the Jaguar in moving in search of other sources of food or even in following the prey, stumbled upon “easy” food in the communities.

To keep Jaguars from human dwelling space, it would require keeping domesticated animals in wellconstructed pens or corrals at night. Motion-triggered light or loud sounds near the livestock have also proven to work. The surprise effect is what will make the cat change its mind and find food elsewhere. Jaguars are legally protected in Guyana under the Wildlife Management and Conservation Regulations (WMCR) 2013 and any incidents with Jaguars can be reported to EPA Wildlife Unit at Phone: 225-5467/225-6048 ext 226.

Sincerely, Karen Lee-Persaud, Ministry of Natural Resources

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Foundation Kid Hustle: Encouraging your child’s entrepreneurial nature ... When academics aren’t everything

BY Dena Kouremetis

R

emember the kid who ran a business in the school hallways during lunch break, selling handmade bracelets, hawking candy or scalping concert tickets?

Who were these kids that hustled you for pocket change? Years later, when you went to high school reunions and found out how everyone else’s lives turned out, these oddballs never showed up. Why? To them, high school might have been but a tiny blip on their radar screen, a small step along the road to bigger and better things. Some may have ended up as entrepreneurs or business owners, having learned lessons about supply and demand early on in life. But did they hustle out of necessity or were they taught to use their heads to earn their livelihoods?

Either way, it was a game worth learning to win.

Author, speaker and CEO Coach Cameron Herold gives TED talks on how to encourage kids who have entrepreneurial tendencies toward a life of lucrative creativity – often the most underrated trait recognised by academic institutions. He defines an entrepreneur at any age to be “a person who organises, operates, and assumes the risks for a business venture”. He speaks of one of his earliest talents as a child – public speaking. But he laments, “No one ever thought of getting me a speaking coach.

Parents tend to hire tutors for what kids suck at – like French. I still suck at speak-

ing French.”

When we think of education and even overall society, we think of how children are routinely told to become good at academics in order to become successful adults

– to become attorneys, doctors, engineers, nurses, scientists, etc. Herold speaks of how there is not a single MBA programme in existence that teaches anyone how to be an entrepreneur, however. “They teach them to go to work for corporations,” he says. The problem he acknowledges, however, is that entrepreneurs are simply not students. They are people who figure things out on their own.

So what traits might clue you in on whether your child has these tendencies?

Business.com’s Larry Alton, in his article 6 Signs from Childhood You’re a Born Entrepreneur, says curious kids tend to choose a wideranging collection of courses, even when given easier options to get good grades.

“Entrepreneurs force themselves to learn about diverse things and not just rely on their strengths,” he

says. “If you see that your child’s schedule looks like a hodgepodge mess with no real core, that’s a good thing.

Check out what other electives are offered and talk to them about how they’ll

shake things up even more next term.”

These kids also seem to know when to call it quits and move on. In my own entrepreneurial daughter’s case, she made it clear when she had lost interest in doing even things she was naturally good at it, like violin, soccer, and track and field, all of which kept her interest for a while, but eventually felt unrewarding to her.

By her junior year, her favourite class was a creative one, where students were asked to make videos using the school’s state-of-the-art computer system and equipment. “Some children keep taking saxophone lessons for years because they don’t want to disappoint their teacher, parents, or whoever else they think it’s important to,” says Alton. “However, if you decided to speak your mind and tell your parents you’re no longer interested

(after giving it a fair shot), that bodes well for an entrepreneurial future.”

In one of my earlier Psychology Today articles, I talked about the mistake parents make when constantly praising their kids for merely participating in something. I reasoned that they could well be setting their kids up for a fall later in life, when they discover on their own that failure is painful. Instead of painting failure as a series of steps that lead to a higher level of knowledge, these pampered kids tend to give up more easily because their parents may have sent them the message that as long as they do something, they are winners.

Entrepreneur.com’s Nadia Goodman agrees that tomorrow’s business leaders will be today’s young kids whose parents have raised them with an entrepreneurial spirit. “It’s a skill that is increasingly important as young people flood the startup world and the freelance economy grows,” she says.

“As a parent, you inspire entrepreneurship by fostering the emotional skills your child will need, such as comfort with risk, effective problem solving, and a positive attitude toward failure.” Goodman goes on to quote Dr Andrea Vazzana, a clinical assistant professor of child psychiatry at New York University’s Child Study Center. “’It’s all about shaping the child’s behaviour. Social emotional skills are important and the earlier you can help a child with them, the better.’” (psychologytoday.

com)

to be continued

W

(Part 2)

hen you outright discuss Internet safety with your teenager, make sure that you pick a good time to have the talk. Don’t start ranting right away about your teen’s Internet use and the dangers after a disagreement or when tensions are already high. With teenagers, this can lead to other problems. It may cause your teenager to not listen to you just for the point of not listening or they may purposely defy you.

Another option that you

sites, they should be discussed. Make sure your child knows that anyone can hide behind a computer, even a sexual predator.

Also, let them know the dangers of posting personal information and pictures on their social networking profiles.

In addition to social networking websites, Internet chat rooms should also be discussed. Internet chat rooms are different, but similar in nature to instant messaging programmes, like AOL or MSN. Generally

have, when looking to discuss Internet safety with your child, is to wait until your child gets off the computer. When they walk away, ask them if they know about being safe online and the dangers that the Internet presents. This is a great opener, when your child is already using the computer. It may make you sound less like an overprotective, overbearing parent, at least in the eyes of your teenager.

When discussing Internet safety with your teenager, it is important to not assume that your child already knows. Even if your child stops you and tells you they already know how to be safe online, don’t stop. Be sure to restate your point and establish any Internet rules you would like your child to follow.

It is important to remember that many teenagers think they know everything, but many don’t.

For example, your child may know that there are Internet predators out there, but do they also know that pictures of them smoking or drinking underage could get them suspended from school or even arrested, no matter how “cool” they look?

Since many teenagers use social networking web-

speaking, instant messaging programmes are safer for teens to use, as they aren’t automatically paired up and thrown into a chat room with other Internet users, who are essentially strangers. As with social networking websites, make sure that your child knows that they could, essentially, be talking to anyone.

Tell them to get out of a chat room right away if the tone turns sexual in nature or if they receive a private message from someone who makes them feel uncomfortable.

You may also want to discuss personal blogs. Many websites, like Blogger.com and WordPress.com allow Internet users to start free blogs. Many teens find this a nice and easy way to vent or allow their friends to stay up-to-date on their thoughts. Your teenager needs to know that anyone can view these blogs, so their information really isn’t private and personal, say as a handwritten journal.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways that you can go about discussing Internet safety with your teenager.

Remember to do so, however, before it is too late. Any child who uses the Internet should be well aware of the dangers that lurk. (Excerpt from

childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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tuesDay, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE 2016

Guyana’s voter turnout better than US, UK and Canada figures – diplomats

Fresh calls for Govt to release Rodney CoI Report – JWRC concerned at PNC, other parties’ deafening silence on findings

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President David Granger

Speaking at a joint news conference on Monday, Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn and United States Ambassador Perry Holloway

By Edward Layne

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hile the turnout at last Friday’s historic Local Government Elections (LGE), is seen by many stakeholders as low, three top overseas diplomats based here have described the turnout as “better than many other countries.”

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Monday pegged voter turnout at 47.1 per cent.

Speaking at a joint news conference on Monday, United States Ambassador Perry Holloway, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn and Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux have also agreed that this turnout was not disappointing, as traditionally local elections in many parts of the world, including their own countries, Canada, US and UK, have not been attracting high turnouts.

“In the UK a 38 per cent turnout in Local Government Elections is actually quite high, so if you look globally, local government elections always tend to have lower turnout than national elections,” Quinn told the joint news conference.

Quinn said no one reason could be blamed for the low turnout: “I don’t think it’s one reason, I think we can’t sit here and say the reason for the low turnout is x, I don’t think there are many number of reasons why there was a low turnout, people didn’t quite understand the process what they were voting for, people didn’t understand why they should vote for these people, many of them don’t have experience, what a councilor can actually do for them. So I think there is no one reason.”

Nonetheless, he urged stakeholders to do more so that the turnout for future elections can significantly improved.

“I think everybody, and

that means the voters, politicians who are standing for positions, need to get out, the parties need to get out, so it’s not just a question of one person or one individual being responsible for upping the turnout, everybody needs to get involved,” he asserted.

His US and Canadian counterparts also shared similar sentiments.

“While we would have liked to see a higher turnout, it is completely understandable that in the absence of local elections for more than 22 years, there would be some anxiety, apprehension and uncertainty among some voters on what these elections were all about,” Ambassador Holloway added.

The results

Asked whether they are concerned about the extended time taken by the GECOM to announce the results, Quinn who answered most of the questions at the news conference stated that while he would like the see the results being released faster, he along with his counterparts are cognizant of the constraints facing the electoral body.

“It takes as long as it does because of the process which GECOM has to follow, the processes which are laid down for GECOM, so I think they are hamstrung to a certain extent to do things in certain ways, so that has caused a delay,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Holloway said Friday’s Elections have laid the ground-work for the journey ahead, pointing to the next LGE in 2019.

He said that come 2019, voters, candidates and Guyanese on the whole will build on Friday’s experience and increase voter turnout as citizens will hold the elected officials accountable for their actions over the next three years.

Voter education Holloway also urged that there be greater vot-

er education in the coming months so as to ensure that come 2019, Guyanese are better equipped, thus improving the turnout.

“The parties, GECOM, the media, the private sector, civil society and others must continue to educate voters on the process,” he urged.

Free, fair and transparent

Ambassador Holloway meanwhile, reinforced an earlier joint statement that the elections were free, fair and transparent.

He said the diplomatic missions fielded a team of observers who monitored the elections across the country and, based on the feedback received, the results were held in conformity with the Laws of Guyana.

“Our observers witnessed nothing that would call into question the integrity or accuracy of these Local Government Elections and our considered opinion is that the process to date has met international standards for free, fair and credible elections,” Holloway declared.

He told reporters that some problems did arise but they were quickly identified and resolved.

Unofficial results thus far has handed overall victory to the opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic which copped some 48 of the 71 Local Authority Areas.

he David Grangerled A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government has again come under pressure to release the report produced by the three-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which completed probing the June 1980 assassination of world renowned Guyanese political scholar and historian Dr Walter Rodney.

The CoI submitted its final report to the government almost a month ago and subsequently, President Granger prom-

ised that cabinet would study itfter which it will be made public.

However, the report has not been officially released, but a copy was leaked to the media, which showed the Dr Rodney’s assassination was pinned to the People’s National Congress (now People’s National Congress Reform) which is led by President Granger.

Visibly frustrated at government’s reluctance to make the document public, the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee (JWRC) in a statement Monday again called for the immediate release of the report.

“The report should immediately be made public, and it is our considered opinion that the Ministry of the Presidency should give the public and those concerned a timetable on when the report will be sent to the family and to all counsels representing parties at the inquiry, when it will be tabled in parliament, and when it will be published…,” the JWRC said.

The group said any further delay in the release of the report will only open its contents to misinformed speculation as represent-

Dr Walter Rodney

ed by letters and comments appearing in the press.

The circumstances of the politics of the unnatural death of Dr Rodney, and the politics of the decisions surrounding the holding of the inquiry should not cloud the good name of the Office of the President, the committee said.

It added that the commission was a presidential one and therefore the Presidency must fulfil the associating constitutional, moral and public responsibilities. turn to page 12

8 news

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

IN THE COURTS Psychiatric patient steals car – 4 other similar matters pending in court

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24-year-old patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital was on Monday taken before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with stealing a car, his fifth offence of this nature.

Raymond Samaroo, of Lot 20 Owen Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on March 17, at Kitty, he stole a Premio motor car valued $1.7 million and $15,000 cash, property of Virtual Complainant (VC) Fareeda Hamid.

The Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant has sever-

Raymond Samaroo

al similar matters pending before the courts. However, the Prosecution’s objection to bail was overruled and Samaroo was granted $75,000 bail. The case will

continue on April 25.

The defendant has been previously charged for four offences similar in nature.

On June 27, 2015, while on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, he stole a motor car bearing registration number PHH 5935 valued $5 million from Rishi Lall. He stole the same car on June 28 from the vicinity of the Kitty Police Station on Alexander Street, Kitty. Initially, when Samaroo hijacked the car, the VC’s girlfriend was still seated inside and had to jump out of the moving vehicle to avoid abduction.

Then, on Monday, August 3, 2015, at 35 Garnett Street, Campbellville, he stole one Honda CRV motor car valued $5 million, one Samsung

cellular phone valued $25,000 and $30,000 cash, a total value of $5,055,000, property of Rhonda Joaquin.

On that occasion, the owner was parked in front of her yard and was about to exit the vehicle when the defendant rushed into the vehicle, forcing her to exit, and drove off.

He subsequently drove through two Police road blocks, nearly injuring two officers in the process.

He also has several other matters before the courts.

Previously, an order was made for the accused to be mentally evaluated so as to ascertain whether or not he is fit for trial. This was done, and it was revealed that he was capable of being tried.

Lab technician slapped with gun possession charges

A

laboratory technician attached to the Bartica Hospital was on Monday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan when he appeared before her on illegal gun charges.

Shemroy Peters, 32, of Bartica, Region Seven

(Cuyuni-Mazaruni) denied the charge which stated that on March 20 at Itaballi Police Checkpoint, Mazaruni River, he had in his possession a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Peters also pleaded not guilty to the charge which

read that on the same occasion, he had in his possession seven live rounds of 9mm ammunition.

According to reports, about 11:00h on Sunday last, Police ranks conducted a search on Peters, during which the unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds

was found. He was arrested and an investigation was launched.

Peters, who was unrepresented, made an application for bail which was denied.

He was remanded and the matter was transferred to Bartica Magistrate’s Court for April 8.

Man jailed for cannabis cultivation; illegal guns, ammunition

T

erry Van Sertima was on Monday sentenced to five years in prison by Magistrate Dylan Best at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and cultivating marijuana.

Van Sertima pleaded guilty to the first set

of charges which stated that on March 18, at Yarrowkabra, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway he was found to be in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun, a 9mm pistol and a Smith and Wesson pistol along with several rounds of matching ammunition for the weapons without being the holder of a fire-

arm licence.

He was apprehended at his Yarrowkabra farm on March 18 after Police ranks, acting on information received, went to his farm where they caught him in the act of tending to the illegal plants.

The farm was approximately four acres of cultivated land and had over

4000 prohibited plants.

Van Sertima then took the ranks to his nearby campsite where the illegal weapons were discovered.

He was fined $15,000 along with three years in prison for planting marijuana and $50,000 along with two years’ jail time for each gun and ammo charge which will run consecutively.

Eyew tness Changing times...

Y

...in Brazil

our Eyewitness is sorely troubled at what’s playing out in our giant neighbour to the South - Brazil. And it’s not just his favourite escapism exercise this year - the Summer Olympics in Rio - might be affected. Hey!!

We can’t afford to have Bolt’s last Olympic ruined, can we?

And it’s not even the massive outbreak of Zika that’s also putting a damper on the aforementioned Olympics.

It’s the massive goings on in the country to bring down the government of President Dilma Rousseff that has your Eyewitness in a bit of a dither. A stable, democratic and prosperous Brazil, after all, offers a lifeline to our prosperity that goes far beyond being a counterweight to Venezuelan revanchism. Not that we should sneer… Brazil’s always resented Venezuela’s pretensions at strutting on the world stage - and checkmated them.

It’s not even our Lethem-Linden Highway and the Mazaruni-Cuyuni HydroPower being threatened with another half century of mothballing. And THAT’s not to be sneered at! Not… it has to do with your Eyewitness’ wider geopolitical crystal ball becoming all fogged up. With the US finally thawing relations with Cuba, all the reports coming out in the media, reminds us of the similarities between Cuba, Venezuela and Cuba back in the 1950s. They were all pretty much under the control of tyrants or oligarchs that toed the American line.

While Castro’s direct threat to turn Latin American “leftwards” faltered (or was crushed after the death of Che Gueverra) that’s the direction the continent DID turn - but through democratic elections three decades later. So the problem with the agitation to remove Dilma (and her mentor Lula) - and not so incidentally Maduro in Venezuela - is they aren’t led by forces that have exactly the best pedigree in democratic governance.

Now this isn’t saying that charges of corruption in funnelling funds from the state petroleum company Petrobras into Dilma and Lula’s party aren’t well founded.

But most of their inquisitors wouldn’t be able to withstand the kind of scrutiny they’re imposing on their two targets.

How do you deal with the Judge trying to try Lula leaking confidential conversations between the latter and Dilma?

And from a Guyanese perspective, it’s not in our interest to be surrounded by countries that’re sure to polarise the relations between “the haves and the have nots” even further than they already are. What would most likely happen is many of those said “have nots” from Brazil’s impoverished north (neighbouring us) might just decide to cross over to our side of the Takatu and “do their thing” And it won’t be pretty... what with the drugs, guns and gang wars.

...in corporate ownership?

Basking in the halo of bringing off Local Government Elections (LGEs), Pressie made a rather surprising suggestion.

Rightfully pointing out that the Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) - NDCs and Municipalities - will now be permitted to raise and spend more funds on their own without Central Government’s intrusion, he proposed LDO’s launch and run businesses!!

“Shades of the Co-Op Republic!” your humble Eyewitness involuntarily exclaimed. “Government’s gonna be owning businesses again?” What’s going to be different this time?

Because the ownership will be at a lower level, the problems will be smaller? Business doesn’t work like that.

This Eyewitness thinks before this becomes a done deal like the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Pressie should have it examined... carefully. A more feasible proposal... suggests your most humble Eyewitness... would be for those LGOs to move all those small businesses - car bodywork shops; grill fabricators; chicken farms; furniture makers, etc etc into small industrial parks and institute appropriate fees and taxes.

That move will make residential areas more habitable and healthy - while generating more revenues and synergies at the local level.

...unchanging electorate

What’s this claim of crossover voting? With only 38 per cent of the voters turning out... how’d you know? Well... you could look at the voting breakdown in mono-ethnic constituencies.

And THAT went “race” down the line.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDay, march 22, 2016

LGE 2016

PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha and General Secretary Clement Rohee during the press conference

A

9

| guyanatimesGY.com

El Niño conditions

PPP/C claims victory but still questions GECOM’s ability to conduct free, fair elections

lthough the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) seems to have accepted the results gathered from various polling stations, it still questions the Guyana Elections Commission’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.

During a news conference on Monday, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee declared that the results of the just-concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) ought to be seen as a referendum against the 10-month-old A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

“The results of the elections clearly demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of electors cast the punishment vote against the APNU/AFC expressing their rejection and dissatisfaction with the broken promises and vindictive policies that have brought about untold sufferings on the working man and woman,” Rohee said.

“By the use of ballot, the electors rebuffed Granger’s call for total control by the APNU/AFC coalition Administration of Central Government, Parliament and Local Government,” Rohee added.

Nonetheless, he maintained that the Party still had doubts about GECOM’s ability to conduct and supervise free, fair and transparent elections.

“The protest against [GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve] Surujbally will continue. He has not been exonerated in any way whatsoever… As to whether the Local Government Elections were free and fair, the Party is yet to conclude its analysis on the matter and this will be based on a close examination of reports brought in by our polling agents and the collective analysis of our Commissioners,” he explained.

The international community has already hailed the elections as free and fair, but Rohee posited that the Guyanese people are

news

the “final arbiters” of such a declaration.

Moreover, Rohee disclosed that there are reports that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo may have interfered with the process.

“We have received reports of Nagamootoo and several other Ministers and Government officials entering polling stations and questioning GECOM officials contrary to the rules laid down by GECOM. What was the purpose of these visits and what was told to the GECOM officials we are yet to learn,” he stated.

He also confirmed reports of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Singh attempting to enter several polling stations in Lethem.

Following the declaration of the results of the General and Regional Elections last year, the PPP vehemently contended that the elections were rigged and Dr Surujbally somehow had a role to play in that.

The Party has since been calling for the removal of Dr Surujbally as GECOM Chairman, insisting that they have no confidence in him to deliver free and fair elections.

The Party had initially opted to not participate in the LGE until Dr Surujbally was removed.

An election petition challenging the results of the 2015 elections is currently before the courts.

Meanwhile, the PPP said it managed to win 48 of 71 local authority areas at the LGE. PPP Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha, who was present at the press conference, pointed out that the Party managed to secure support in areas that were not traditionally PPP strongholds and also managed to advance its support base in the Party’s strongholds.

“We made a lot of inroads…we brought back our supporters and we gained new grounds,” he stated.

Fire Service battling over 60 bush fires per week

T

he prevailing dry weather conditions attributed to the El Niño crisis has parched much of the soil and grass in vast locations across the country.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle in an interview with this publication on Monday said the Guyana Fire Service has been battling between 60 and 70 bush fires per week.

Gentle noted that most of fires stemmed from land clearing and he is calling for a halt to “indiscriminate” burning.

“People got to stop lighting these fires indiscriminately; most of them are people using the fire to clear

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

lands. Much of this is happening in new housing areas or housing areas where

they got a lot of cattle grazing lands, they using the fires to burn out the dry bushes,” the Fire Chief explained.

He further observed that the Fire Service has undertaken numerous awareness programmes to curb these activities but surmised the occurrences as “traditional”.

“We weary doing programmes, this is a traditional thing… [It’s occurring in] Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six—everywhere,” noted the Fire Chief.

“People have to be aware that when they are lighting these fires, there’s a cost to it… most times it going into people’s premises

or sometimes [it] threatens infrastructure like bridges, culverts, land poles,” emphasised Gentle.

“Ninety per cent of the fires we engage are brush fires,” he pointed out.

He noted that the recent incident at Coverden, East Bank Demerara on Thursday stemmed from organic soil being ignited but observed that not all of the occurrences are of a “natural” origin.

On Sunday evening, fire ranks from Georgetown and Leonora were able to extinguish a brush fire at Versailles, West Bank Demerara which threatened the nearby Aracari Hotel & Resort.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDay, march 22, 2016

News

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Guyana awaits word from UN SG following fact-finding mission F

oreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said the Guyana Government was awaiting word from United Nations Secretary General Ban Kimoon about the way forward on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

Last week, the UN sent another fact-finding mission to both Georgetown and Caracas to inform its next move towards bringing an end to the stalemate between the two countries.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Greenidge said while there was no dialogue between Guyana and Venezuela per se, the conversation was taking place through the UN Secretary General.

“And he is speaking to us with a view of choosing finally options for the resolution for the disagreement of the two sides. He sent a team last weekend and that team should have completed its discussion in Venezuela recently,” Greenidge said.

He related that it was now up to the SG to make known what he was going to do and when he was likely to

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

make a decision.

“We are waiting to hear from him, because it is something that is very critical to us, it has implication for Guyana’s standing. We hope that the SG could see a way that would remove Venezuela from blocking our path to economic development,” he said.

In October last year, the UN had sent such a team to both Guyana and Venezuela, where discussions with both

Government and Opposition were held.

There is still hope for an end soon to the controversy between the neighbouring countries.

Guyana had committed to taking the judicial route of action last year, after years of committing to the UN Good Offices Process.

Government had declared that the process was yielding little or no results. It had even called on Venezuela to

join this nation in moving to the courts to pursue a judicial settlement of the controversy.

Greenidge had said that Guyana had never strayed from the path of friendship with Venezuela, adding that bringing the matter to an end by due process of international law, as was proposed by Guyana, would be a gift to future generations in both countries. Venezuela does not accept the 1899 Award, unanimously made by a five-member panel – two Britons, one Russian, and two Americans representing Venezuela – on the border issue as a final settlement despite its agreement to do so, denouncing it almost five decades later in 1945 before the United Nations.

In 1949, the US jurist Otto Schoenrich gave the Venezuelan Government a memorandum written by Severo Mallet-Prevost, the Official Secretary of the US-Venezuela delegation in the Tribunal of Arbitration, which was written in 1944 to be published only after his death. Mallet-Prevost, one of the four lawyers who had appeared for Venezuela before the Arbitral Tribunal, surmised from the private behaviour of the Judges that there had been a political deal between Great Britain and Russia and for the first time, attacked the Award.

This memorandum led to Venezuela’s revival of its claim to Guyana’s territory.

In 1966 in Geneva, Switzerland, the Governments of British Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela signed an agreement to resolve Venezuela’s contentions. Since then, the unresolved issue has sporadically flared up.

The controversy reignited in March of last year when the Government of Guyana granted access to the US-based oil company ExxonMobil, allowing it to drill for oil in the Stabroek Block offshore Essequibo.

The Venezuelan Government was peeved at this move and made direct contact with the oil company, urging it to discontinue its attempt to carry out drilling activities in the area.

Saying it had no part in the territorial issue, the oil company went ahead with its drilling activity. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro later issued a decree on May 26, 2015, which purports to ratify maritime sovereignty over waters within 200 miles including the entire Atlantic Ocean off the Essequibo Coast as well as part of Suriname’s maritime territory and an area which is under dispute with Colombia.

Why Berbicians are Super Mad?

O

ver the years I have listened and responded to a cauldron of comments in the American classroom as a faculty. One comment from a non-traditional student in my Caribbean History course at the University of the Virgin Islands some time back still lingers on my mind. The student said that if Christopher Columbus Dr Lomarsh Roopnarine returned to the Caribbean island of Dominica he would recognise the island instantly.

I was taken aback by that comment especially since I had spent an awful lot of time discussing the evils – genocide, slavery, colonialism, imperialism, racism, indentureship and dependency - caused by Columbus and the subsequent arrival of Europeans to the Caribbean.

I asked the student to elaborate some more why he made such a comment. He said that Dominica is the most preserved and pristine island in the Caribbean.

Dominica is really a nature island with large tracts of its land undisturbed. It has what is called the Carib Reserve Territory, land set aside for the protection of 3000 or so indigenous Carib people.

There is a parallel with the above story and Berbice but in an opposite way. If the British colonialists were to return to Berbice they would have no problems recognising it. They would see that few things have changed in this part of the world. They would recognise open sewage alongside the main road from New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek. They would recognize children playing in the sewage and some people fishing in it for food. They would recognise that the people still use pit latrines when the rest of the world has access to indoor toilets. They would recognise poverty, suicide and crime out of control. They would recognise high unemployment amongst the young. They would recognize that people rely on sugar cane and rice cultivation as well as fishing for survival.

Equally troubling is that there is little indication that the above maladies will change for better. The agricultural sector has become more uncertain than any other time in history.

The new entourage of politicians seems to have their own views about the status of agriculture in Berbice to which they only understand.

Communist leaders Moa Zedong and Fidel Castro once asked their Cabinet to go out and work the fields so that they would have the experience as to how it felt to be like peasants and pariahs. I see nothing wrong with applying this policy to Guyana.

There are, to be sure, some noticeable developments in Berbice: the Canje and Berbice Bridges, the University of Guyana, somewhat regular electricity and running water. All this come to Berbice after Guyana has achieved independence 50 years later. This is not saying much and I am so elated that the current regime plans to keep the 50 years’ celebration mainly in its urban support base as evidenced by the results of the local election.

One of the tabloids is having a field day reporting on how the current regime has won Georgetown. The people of Berbice rather see the politicians riding donkeys around the villages than giving speeches and splurging into celebration frenzies.

That being said, I have asked the PPP on numerous occasions in dailies to at least develop an airport and No 63 Beach in Berbice but this asking was given lip service. In political science 101, the basic thought is that if you have a majority of support coming from one particular region, pay serious attention to it and try to answer in the affirmative because your political life depends on it. This was taken for granted.

What is disturbing is that of all the counties in Guyana, Berbice has experienced the most out-migration, some 50,000 over the past decades. The current population is around 130,000 or so. The talk in the streets is that everyone is waiting to leave and investment now is not in agriculture but in airline tickets. Nevertheless, an airport plus the development of No 63 Beach as well as a Cultural Centre will certainly bring back Berbicians for even short stays which will in turn generate growth and development. Instead, opposite has happened.

I have never seen so many abandoned houses and idle land anywhere else except in war zones. This eyesore demonstrates that Berbicians are mad. I am mad. Are you mad? I asked one villager who was surprised to have received a visa from the US Embassy prior to May 2015 General Election this: why didn’t you stay and vote and then leave? His response was “ah you try dey, me gone buddy.”

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tuesday, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

12 news

TUESday, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Robbery suspects slapped Linden youths evicted from LEN office this the good life?” they asked during with illegal firearm charge –“Is protest in mining town

By Utamu Belle

S

F

Accused: Kevon Bunyon

our men on Monday appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Kevon Bunyon, 24, also called ‘Bunny’ of Stanleytown; Quincy Goodheart, 24, a mason of 540 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Rudolph McCurdy, 27, of Ordnance Fort Lands Housing Scheme, Berbice, also called ‘Rudy’, and Kurt Edwards, 23, a taxi driver of Ordnance fort Lands Housing Scheme, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus to answer the weapon related charges.

The charge read that on March 17, at Lot 52 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, they were found in possession of a .38 pistol and one matching live round without being the holders of a firearm license. They were arrested as police were investigating a robbery which occurred on March 15 at a businessplace on Strand, New Amsterdam.

Accused: Quincy Goodheart

Accused: Kurt Edwards

Bunyon and Goodheart both pleaded guilty with explanation on the charges, while McCurdy and Edwards denied the allegations.

Bunyon alleged that on the day in question he took the police to a location and handed over the firearm to them. He said he did not check the weapon and could not say whether it was loaded. He claimed that Goodheart gave him the gun on Wednesday at about 08:00h.

The Magistrate asked why he kept it and he re-

Accused: Rudolph McCurdy

sponded: “Due to circumstances, I ain’t getting no wuk. He ask me fuh keep the gun fuh he. That is why I plead guilty so I could finish me time quick.”

According to Bunyon, Goodheart did not pay him to keep the gun. Meanwhile, Goodheart, who claimed to be a Jehovah’s Witness, told the court that on Tuesday he collected the gun at about 10:00h and then took it to Bunyon. However, due to these explanations not guilty pleas were recorded for the men.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Sherriff made no objections to bail for McCurdy and Edwards.

Bail was set at $100,000 each on the possession of a firearm charge and $60,000 each on the possession of ammunition charge.

McCurdy was able to post bail; however, as he was exiting court he was rearrested and taken into custody.

He and the other accused are expected to be back in court today to answer a robbery under arms charge.

everal youths from the Linden community on Monday protested being “evicted” from an office they utilised inside the business incubator of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) situated on Republic Avenue, Mackenzie.

The youths of the Linden Community Empowerment Programme (LINCEP), arm of the organisation Youth Vision founded in 2013 by Dexter Copeland.

Holding placards bearing slogans ‘Is this the good life!!!’, ‘We need our friendly space to be given back’ and ‘where are the youth friendly space’, the youths picketed the LEN building.

“We got locked out, with all our stuff inside of the LEN building. We were there Friday. Afterwards we went out in the fields to do practical. We entered the building earlier in the day but when we came back around midday we realised that there was a hasp and staple with padlock on our office door,” Copeland told this publication during the protest.

He said that since last Friday it has been a “correspondence battle” between the youths and LEN board of directors.

“They sent out eviction letters for us because we could not have paid the rent. But the rent used to be paid by the previous government, because it’s a government building. So the previous government used to support the programme, by paying the rent,” Copeland explained.

He further stated that he had written to Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Chairman Renis Morian, the LEN board and regional Members of Parliament following the last General Elections regarding the space and continuation of the programme.

“Everybody say ‘it’s okay’, they will look into it, because it’s a good programme. They attended the (youths) graduation even before… they endorsed it, but nothing happened. All what happened was a padlock went on the door… is a rent issue, they say we don’t have rent (money) and they deal with business, so...”, Copeland vented.

He further explained that he was informed of the eviction by the Chief Executive Officer (ag) of LEN Tanzia Gasper. Copeland related further that the previous government had intended to grant the space for free, since it’s a non-governmental organisation, however LINCEP had insisted on having them pay rent instead.

“Because at that time, LEN was financially cash-strapped, so because of the relationship we have in our community, we wanted them (staff) to have salaries and we asked the (previous) government to ensure they pay the rent. We know it’s a government building so any rent paying is paid back to the government.”

Dexter Copeland protesting on Monday

He is urging the relevant authorities to “intervene” so that the youths can have the youth space once more.

“When the youths leave school, many of them don’t have a job right away, so they come there instead of sitting down at home.

They come and interact, socialise and so on instead of having their minds go to waste,” he said.

Meanwhile, Regional MP Jermaine Figueira said he had indeed spoken to Copeland regarding the issue and had indicated that the LEN was a business incubator intended to push small businesses. He said despite the LINCEP programme being a good one the organisation has to pay rent.

According to him, LEN has been lenient, since Copeland was given more than 12 months to come up with a payment plan, but failed to do so.

The MP said he had proposed the use of other avenues, including several community centres since he realised there was a need for venue. However, Copeland has remained adamant on having the venue centralized.

He said he was surprised at the protest adding that it gives a false impression that government has no interest in youths.

When this newspaper made efforts to contact the LEN CEO (ag) at her office for comment, her secretary communicated that she had indicated that she had “no comments”.

The LINCEP is a youth-friendly programme designed for school drop-outs, aiding academically in areas such as one on one tutoring and other related assistance.

Fresh calls for Govt to...

“Among these is to reach out to aggrieved parties.

The Presidency must stand above the fray. It is of concern to us, as it should be to any concerned person or organisation that up to this moment the report has not been received by the Widow and family of Walter Rodney, and counsels representing all parties at the inquiry,” the group said.

Silence of PNCR, WPA

The group said it has noted the defeating silence of parties within the coalition.

It is important to note that the PNCR is the largest stakeholder in the coalition, while Dr Rodney’s Working People’s Alliance (WPA) is also a member of the coalition.

There has been no official

statement from either the PNCR or the WPA since the submission of the report.

“While we commend the President for encouraging the parties within the coalition to study the report and possibly speak, we are concerned that none of these parties have spoken,” the JWRC stated.

The group also condemned the efforts by persons associated closely with the government who it said continued to speak disparagingly of the report.

It is important to note that President Granger himself had described the report as highly “flawed.”

“I would like to say that the report is very badly flawed in many respects.

From the start we realised that the Commission was

from page 7

paying a lot of attention to hearsay evidence and the most glaring example of the flaw in the Commission’s report is the fact that they decided to accept the evidence of a convict,” the President had said.

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry was established on June 13, 2013 by then president Donald Ramotar following a direct request from the Rodney Family, particularly his widow Patricia Rodney.

On June 13, 1980, Walter Anthony Rodney was killed by a bomb blast in Georgetown, Guyana.

His death has been called an assassination based on the known facts and circumstances surrounding his death.

news

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tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

LGE 2016

Smyth Street execution

“We were never Police granted extension of detention afraid” – Jagdeo T O pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said the outcome of what took place at the recently concluded Local Government Elections (LGE) vindicates that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was never afraid of heading to the polls, as was perpetuated by other sections of society.

In a statement Jagdeo said now that the elections are over, the Party will ensure the communities where it won a majority are served in a manner that is responsive to their concerns without distinction for their race, political affiliation or religion.

Jagdeo said the PPP/C will resume the task of preparing for the national elections, whenever they are

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

held, by strengthening the Party, consolidating and broadening its support base, and continuing its work to include more young people and women in its efforts to move Guyana forward.

Moreover, Jagdeo not-

ed that the latest numbers have indicated a massive victory for the PPP/C and in that regard he thanked all of the Party’s supporters and the hundreds of volunteers who helped with the campaign.

he two men who were arrested for the murder of O’Riley Small, 32, of Lot 2 Symth Street, Georgetown, remain in Police custody after a successful application to the High Court for an extension of the 72-hour detention period.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum explained that based on the evidence at their disposal against the two men, the Police approached the High Court to further detain the duo.

He added that as investigations continued, Police ranks were still to determine the motive for the shooting, claiming that there were many leads to follow.

He is, nevertheless, sure that Police will get a breakthrough in the case before the extended detention period expires.

Small was gunned down execution-style in the wee hours of Saturday after re-

New NDCs to be created – to ensure better turnout at next LGE

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s a result of the low turnout at the first Local Government Elections (LGE) held since 1994 in Guyana, the Communities Ministry has announced that it would be demarcating several new Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

This announcement was made by Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan at a recent press conference held at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Bulkan explained that the decision was aimed at

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

ensuring that every person living within the borders of Guyana had the opportunity to cast their vote at the next LGE. Speaking to the media, he noted that the low turnout at the elections could be as a result of several persons on the registered voters list not being able to vote owing to the fact that they are living within communities that do not have established NDCs or municipalities.

He further noted that this has affected per-

sons living within the communities along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway (from Yarrowkabra all the way to Linden) and Rockstone, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and those living in the several mixed communities in

turning home from a popular nightclub. He was riddled with bullets when gunmen opened fire on him while he was in his yard. He died on the spot.

Moments after the shooting, Marty Prince called “Max” of Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was arrested for the murder. Prince is reportedly a security official at the popular nightclub where the now dead man was partying prior to his death.

Back in 2013, Small was

charged with break and enter and larceny committed on Central Electronics located on Robb Street, Georgetown.

It was alleged that he, along with an accomplice, David Lynch, broke and entered Central Electronics and stole a quantity of items, which included a flat screen television and a metal safe with an undisclosed sum of cash.

Also in February 2013, he was implicated in the attempted robbery of Wayne Heber at Premniranjan Place, Prashad Nagar which left three bandits dead.

Those killed were Tony Ogle, 42, called “Skin Teeth” and “Ninja” of Callendar Street, Albouystown; Leon Gittens, 24, called “Cow” of Hill Street, Albouystown and Shawn Brown.

Small was also shot along with four others during a shooting at the National Cultural Centre, Mandela Avenue, back in 2009.

the hinterland.

“It has been identified that now that these elections have been held, that areas will be demarcated as local government areas,” the Minister said, adding that this would be a priority of the Ministry.

For the first time-ever on Friday, residents of Lethem were able to vote in local

government polls. This is as a result of Lethem recently being made a town. Two other communities, Mabaruma, and Bartica were also recently named as towns.

Residents of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) were unable to participate in the elections as currently there are no NDCs or municipalities in that region.

O’Riley Small

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesdAY, march 22, 2016

News

125th anniversary of India’s SeaTrade Cruise Global 2016 constitutional drafter Guyana seeking to reach small celebrated in Guyana ship market – GTA head

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uyana joined India in celebrating the life and work of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination.

Ambedkar also played an integral role in drafting the Constitution of India.

The Indian High Commission in Guyana hosted an evening of elegance at the Marriott Hotel on Monday where members of the diplomatic community, businesspeople, and other prestigious guests gathered to reflect on Ambedkar’s contributions to Indian society.

Indian High C o m m i s s i o n e r V e n k a t a c h a l a m Mahalingam expressed that Ambedkar’s greatest contribution was protecting the fundamental rights of the depressed classes called Dalits who were subjected to untouchability for many centuries.

Guest speaker Justice Carl Singh, Guyana’s Chancellor of the Judiciary, highlighted the many struggles were faced by Ambedkar.

The team meeting with executives of SeaTrade

A section of those gathered

Other speakers took turn in reminiscing on some of Ambedkar’s most notable moments.

Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, was a prolific student, earning a law degree and various doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and gained a reputation as a scholar for his research in law, economics and political science.

In his early years he was an economist, professor, and lawyer. His later life was marked by his political activities; he became involved in campaigning and negotiations for India’s independence, publishing journals advocating political rights and social free-

dom for Dalits, and contributing significantly to the establishment of the state of India.

Upon India’s independence on 15 August 1947, the new Congress-led government invited Ambedkar to serve as the nation’s first Law Minister, which he accepted. On 29 August of that year he was appointed Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, charged by the Assembly to write India’s new Constitution.

Those in attendance at the event included Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, Guyana Elections Commission Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally and businessman Yesu Persaud.

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he world’s largest back-to-back SeaTrade cruise show, held in Fort Lauderdale, saw Guyana participating for the first time at the event, with the aim of expanding the country’s tourism networking capability.

The Guyana delegation was headed by Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh and included Teri O’Brian, the General Manager of Wilderness Explorers at the March 13-17 event.

SeaTrade Cruise Global 2016 is where the cruise industry gathered for a week of networking, sourcing, innovation and education and where participants were afforded the opportunity to attend a four-day educational conference programme and network with industry leaders from all corners of the industry.

Currently, Guyana is strategising to reach the small ship market and niche

cruising; as such, Haralsingh disclosed that GTA would be taking a more targeted approach to achieve this. He explained that SeaTrade Cruise Global is the cruise industry’s premier global event, bringing together all facets of the international cruise business -- including cruise lines, suppliers, travel agents and partners.

“This is indeed the epicentre of the international cruise industry, and Guyana was present to take advantage of that. We would like to see increased cruise visits and are eager to have Guyana included in more cruise time tables,” Haralsingh stated.

SeaTrade 2016 provided Guyana with a unique opportunity to meet, network and negotiate with valued trade partners, including executives of cruise lines, SeaTrade and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association.

Guyana was provided with the platform to create

more awareness of the country as a “cruise destination” as we are strategically positioned within the Caribbean region which is the largest cruise receiving destination in the world.

Haralsingh was able to meet with representatives from small cruise companies where he promoted Guyana as a cruise destination.

Additionally, meetings were held with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association; Saga Cruise Line; Noble Caledonia Cruise Line; Newport Maritime – a Cruise Tourism Development Consultancy Firm; Carvalho’s Agency (Cruise Development Firm) from Trinidad and Dexter Trim, Transportation Analyst from the Tobago House of Assembly.

Participation at this event will yield more cruise business for the country in direct support of the Government’s vision to transform the nation into an economic powerhouse.

Wages increase still on the front burner for GTU - McDonald – hopes for positive feedback from Education Ministry

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he Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) continues to be optimistic that the Education Ministry will dedicate renewed energy towards addressing their issues, primarily salary increases.

With Local Government Elections now concluded, GTU is set on the path of ensuring the ministry does “all in its powers” to grant the much needed increase.

This is according to GTU’s General Secretary Coretta McDonald, who told Guyana Times during an interview that the union will continue to propose the 40 per cent salary increase for its teachers.

She said the union is of the opinion that a hindrance to the salary increases was due to the LGE but with this over, the ministry should be able to make the decision.

The union has been awaiting word from the ministry over the past few months but so far this has postponed due to unidentified circumstances.

In January, the matter was put on hold by the ministry due to the reading of this year’s national Budget. Still, after two months, they have not been able to get a confirmation on the proposal.

However, GTU remains

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

confident this matter will be looked into and its teachers across the country will be benefactors of the increase.

Listed in its memorandum of agreement entered with the Ministry of Education concerning the terms and conditions of teachers’ employment, the union has proposed for the years 2016-20 a series of increases.

This it says is being proposed with the aim of improving the financial stability of its teachers, who are the most significant figures within society.

The 40 per cent salary in-

crease for public school teachers is proposed for 2016. Over time, the per cent will be increased for all categories of its teachers.

For 2017, the union is hoping to bargain for a 45 per cent increase, which will then increase to 50 per cent for the remainder of the years indicated in the agreement (201820).

The terms of the salary increases has come under intense criticisms over the past few months from concerned persons who deemed the proposal as absurd.

Even though it was agreed that teachers do have a vital role to play and should be well taken care of for their service, there are still some major issues in the percentage that the union has come up with.

Persons argued that if a teacher’s salary is currently $100,000 monthly, given that the proposal is accepted by the ministry, these teachers would be taking home $140,000 in 2016.

This would eventually rise over time in accordance with the years, and leave the teachers with a whooping salary that persons in government circle believe is way too unreasonable.

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Around the world

Russia threatens force against Former Congolese Vice President guilty Syrian truce violators

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ussia warned it would act unilaterally starting today to end alleged violations of the “cessation of hostilities” agreement, unless Moscow and Washington urgently reach an agreement to deal with attacks.

The Russian military has accused the US of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria ceasefire and response to violations, saying delays are leading to civilian casualties.

“Further delays with implementing the agreed rules of reaction to violations of the ceasefire regime in Syria are unacceptable,” Russia’s defence ministry said in a statement.

“Peaceful residents die

A Russian soldier stands guard as Syrians receive aid in the village of Ghunaymiyah [Pavel Golovkin/AP]

daily there as a result of provocative actions and shelling.”

Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said in a statement on Monday

that if the US failed to respond to its proposals on a joint response, the Russian military would have to start unilaterally using force against those who break the truce.

China has seen several health and safety scandals in recent years.

The illegal vaccine ring was said to have been in operation since 2011.

The ringleaders, who have been arrested, were allegedly a mother and a daughter who purchased the vaccines from licensed and unlicensed sources, and then sold them on to illegal agents or local disease control and prevention centres for high prices, reported

Xinhua state news agency.

The US$88 million worth of vaccines were not adequately refrigerated nor transported in approved conditions.

The potentially compromised vaccines could cause disability and death, Xinhua said.

Though authorities had known about the ring since April last year, they only made the news public late on Friday when they issued a call demanding that sup-

The agreement between the Syrian Government and rebel forces has largely held, but there have been a number of alleged violations, including Government air raids on Opposition areas and the downing of a Syrian air force jet by rebels.

Groups considered to be terrorist organisations by the United Nations – such as al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group – have been excluded from the ceasefire.

The warning by Moscow came as rebel factions and Government representatives continued gathering in Geneva under mediation from the UN in an attempt to bring an end to the fiveyear-old conflict. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

China: Shandong illegal vaccine scandal sparks anger

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hinese citizens have reacted with anger and alarm at news of a massive illegal vaccine operation uncovered in Shandong province.

The illegal vaccine ring involved hundreds of people, and affected 24 provinces and cities, local media said.

On Monday, news that a boy had died after a vaccination sparked more anger, though officials said there was no link to the Shandong scandal.

pliers come forward to help them trace potential victims. It sparked fury over the weekend as thousands of users on microblogging network Sina Weibo questioned the delay.

“This is such a huge case and not a single regulatory official has come out to apologise, not a single one has resigned... this system which doesn’t care whether ordinary citizens live or die makes one’s soul tired,” said one user. (Excerpt from BBC News)

14-year-old hacked, North Korea ups tensions with new burnt to death Sea of Japan firing after witnessing

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orth Korea has launched five projectiles into the Sea of Japan, its latest military manoeuvre amid concerns about its nuclear programme.

South Korea disputed Pyongyang’s description of the projectiles as “missiles” on Monday, saying instead the objects were smaller “short-range projectiles” – most likely conventional shells.

South Korean officials said the five projectiles flew about 200 kilometres after being launched from an area about 20 kilometres south of Hamhung on Monday afternoon local time.

Tensions have been soaring on the divided Korean peninsula since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test on January 6, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.

The United Nations Security Council responded earlier this month by impos-

ing its toughest sanctions on North Korea to date.

In recent weeks, Pyongyang has maintained a daily barrage of nuclear strike threats against both Seoul and Washington, ostensibly over continuing large-scale South KoreaUS military drills that the North sees as provocative rehearsals for invasion.

Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, reporting from Beijing, said Monday’s tests follow the launch of ballistic missiles in the same area just a few days earlier.

“It’s the timing of this that is so interesting, because on Friday North Korea said it carried out two ballistic missile tests roughly in the same area,” he said.

“A few days before, the North Korean military warned that it was launching multiple ballistic missile launches and a nuclear warhead test,” Brown said, adding that the tests were a “slap in the face of China”, Pyongyang’s closest ally.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

drug deal in T&T

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orced to go into hiding after witnessing a contraband deal, 14-yearold Darian Nedd finally met his death Sunday, after two men chopped off his limbs with a cutlass and then set fire to his home, leaving him to die.

The Form One student, of Red Brick Trace, attended the Siparia East Secondary School. His charred, dismembered body was found around 12:30h amid the ruins of the wooden house.

His right foot and left hand were missing. It is uncertain whether he was still alive when the house was set on fire.

Up to late Sunday, Police had held a 25-year-old man for questioning. They were also searching for two other suspects. Investigators said Nedd had an ongoing dispute with some men who accused him of being an informant.

Nedd’s mother, Christine, who sells oysters

at Otaheite Junction, said she was not at home when the fire started. Christine said she made several reports to the Oropouche Police, begging for assistance to save her son.

However, Police never arrested the suspects. “My son hiding for months now.

He went to live with (name called) but because he had school he came back last week,” Christine said. She explained that hours before his death, Nedd cut the grass around their home and played marble pitch.

“He was happy. We didn’t think this was going to happen,” Christine said.

She explained that Nedd loved to fight with his seven-year-old sister Victoria Pekhoo. “Yesterday was the only day I did not quarrel with him. He used to be there, helping me with the oysters. Now he is gone,” Christine said, as tears ran down her swollen eyes.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

of war crimes

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he International Criminal Court has found former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Central African Republic more than a decade ago.

The verdicts announced on Monday focused on the responsibility of a military commander for the actions of his troops, as Bemba was accused of commanding a militia that went on a spree of murder, rape and pillage.

The charges – two of crimes against humanity and three of war crimes – stem from his private army’s intervention on the side of CAR’s then-President AngeFelix Patasse in the neighbouring country’s civil war.

Bemba’s long-running trial was the first at the ICC to feature allegations of systematic sexual abuse by soldiers in a conflict.

Al Jazeera’s Paul

Brennan, reporting from The Hague, said the ICC’s ruling was historic in several ways.

“Bemba is not only the most senior political leader ever to have been brought to judgement here at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, but what makes this particular case a landmark ruling is the fact that it has put rape as a weapon of war,” Brennan said.

Human rights activists welcomed the conviction.

Descartes Mponge, Secretary General of Congolese rights group ACADHOSHA, said the judgment “strengthens the ICC’s credibility in Africa where it is accused of bias and politicisation”.

Bemba is a wealthy businessman whose Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) militia and political party vied for dominance in the country in the early 2000s. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Obama spars with Castro on human rights during historic Cuba visit

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US President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro

S President Barack Obama pushed Cuba to improve its record on human rights and sparred with President Raul Castro during a historic visit to the Communist-ruled island on Monday, while Castro hit back by decrying US’ “double standards”.

Human rights remained an impediment to strengthening ties with Cuba despite the rapprochement reached by the two leaders in December 2014, Obama said, adding a “full flowering” of the relationship could happen only with progress on the issue.

“In the absence of that, I think it will continue to be a very powerful irritant,” Obama said at a sometimes tense joint news conference that was broadcast live on Cuban state television.

Castro appeared at times uncomfortable and showed flashes of anger as he made the rare step of taking questions from journalists.

Obama, the first sitting US President to visit Cuba in nearly 90 years,

is under pressure from critics at home to push Castro’s Government to allow political dissent and to further open its Soviet-style economy. Some opponents of the visit say he has already given away too much as he improves ties, with too little from Cuba in return.

At Monday’s news conference, which followed talks between the two leaders, Castro responded sharply to the pressure over his record on rights, saying the US stance reflected a double standard as a country that also violated human rights.

He said no country met all international rights agreements, and that Cuba was strong on many areas such as health, access to education and women’s equality.

“Let’s work so that everybody respects all the human rights,” he said. Cuba frequently criticises the United States on subjects such as racism, violence and the prison the United States maintains at its naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (Excerpt from Reuters)

16 NEWS

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Vriesland residents Mazaruni prisoners decry feel disenfranchised treatment at facility – Chairman says NDC-inclusion decision rests with Bulkan’s Ministry

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ollowing the recent complaints by a large number of residents of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, over being disallowed voting in Friday’s Local Government Elections (LGE), Regional Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Juluis Faerber told Guyana Times on Monday that while the area is “already regularised”, the decision to include Vriesland and other communities in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) system rests with the Communities Ministry.

“Vriesland was regularised a long time ago… they have their titles and so on… you have to write the honourable Minister of Communities to ask him to include those areas under the Toevlugt-Patentia [NDC],” Faerber explained.

At post-elections media conference Saturday, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan observed that several communities, including many on the LindenSoesdyke Highway will in fact be included in the NDC system. Guyana Times reported on March 20 that many residents in Vriesland expressed disappointment in not being able to exercise their franchise. It was also explained that residents in communities such as Free

Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber

and Easy, Vive le Force and Reynstein were all disallowed voting.

Speaking with this newspaper on Saturday, a resident, Data – only name given – related that she has been living in the area for over 30 years and thus wanted to cast her ballot.

“Dem seh you nah pay tax and if you nah pay rates and [taxes] you can’t vote,” Data opined.

A fish vendor related that many residents wanted to vote as representatives could have advocated for their needs.

Another resident posited that even though these were not the ‘big elections’, she still would have appreciated if her fellow community members could cast their ballot.

Roshini Mohan had stated that she has resided in the

area over 30 years while her husband lived there for “over 40 years.” She further related that some residents had attempted to establish the area as an NDC, through advocacy.

“Dem boy done form a NDC group, done get de stamp, only fo de people come and regularise this place,” Mohan posited and further noted by not paying rates and taxes, only the residents stand to lose.

On the other hand fellow resident and vendor, Shivanie Persaud who sells at Patentia Market said she is too busy to be bothered by the local polls. “Me nah gat time because nobody not give me anything if me nah wuk,” expressed that vendor. Vriesland is situated some 14 kilometres from Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD.

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risoners at the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) are peeved at the way they are treated with respects to their meals and other facilities at the jail complex.

One prisoner who managed to contact Guyana Times during Monday explained that they are forced to eat butter and bread on a regular basis although other food items are available.

The prisoner serving several years, noted that while in prison, inmates are mandated to assist in farming and rearing chickens and other livestock but unfortunately, they do not get a “piece of the meat” when these animals are slaughtered.

“We plant eggplant, pumpkin, ochros, squash, seasonings but when the food come, is next to nothing… the food don’t get taste… there is no meat… no eggs, nothing”, the prisoner complained. He noted that the officer in charge would always say “what we get that is what you all will eat”.

He said most of the inmates are “literally starving”. However, he further explained that the compound of the Mazaruni Prison has two jails, one for convicts who are serving between two to five years, while the second is for convicts sentenced for five years up.

Mazaruni Prison

In the “small jail”, he stated, more than two persons have to occupy a cell and it is similar in the “big” jail. The big jail has about 190 inmates. There are no beds but rather mattresses that are placed on pallets, he noted.

Nevertheless, he stated that although prisoners do not expect for the prisons to be bed of roses, on the other hand, President David Granger visited the penitentiary earlier this month, but did not meet with the prisoners, hence he could not have gotten “firsthand information” of what really happens within the prison walls.

The prisoner who is well spoken, noted that family are allowed to visit and take hygienic items such as toothpaste, soap and toilet tissue but no food items.

On this note, he added that some inmates are given one

soap, one tube of toothpaste and one roll of toilet tissue to use for one month.

“These are the items that come in bulk but yet, at the end of every month, we hear that they run out… we don’t have this, we don’t have that… and all sort of excuses…’, he added.

With respect to injuries at the facility, he explained that there is always a medex on hand. There are many fights on a regular basis which are concealed behind the walls… once you get injured you get looked after but there are some injuries that need hospital treatment but persons are left to bare the pains”, the prisoner noted.

He nevertheless praised the welfare officer, claiming that she does a lot to handle the issues within the Mazaruni Prison.

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news

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016 | guyanatimesGY.com

Leguan rice farmers to sue miller for paddy payments

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ice farmers living on the Essequibo island of Leguan are to sue the proprietor of Leguan Rice Mill Inc, Rajendra Ojha over the monies owed to them for their paddy over an extended period.

The dry-weather conditions caused by El Niño coupled with the expiration of the lucrative PetroCaribe Venezuela rice deal have continued to deepen the crisis within the rice industry, but farmers are adamant that they must be paid for their produce.

Guyana Times understands that a meeting was recently held between the Rice Producers Association (RPA) General Secretary Dharamkumar Seeraj and the farmers, during which they vented their frustration. It was pointed out by farmers to this publication that “no definite word” has been conveyed to them on the way forward and as such, they would be proceeding on the legal route to get payments.

“Recently Seeraj came here, but we nah hear no word that’s why they decide to tek action,” a frustrated farmer stated.

It was further noted that there was a breakdown of communication at a previous meeting between the farmers and the miller. It

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

was alleged that the proprietor of Leguan Rice Mill Inc challenged the farmers to “summons him” if they wanted their payments.

“We had a meeting once, but he seh he na got money; he get pay; he get money for the paddy and he convert the money to he own use,” one stakeholder stated.

On March 1, Guyana Times reported Ojha saying that farmers were not paid as a result of the difficulties rice millers were facing.

“If we nah get rain, we can’t work; actually it’s about eight-nine months we struggling, abbe owe everything, abbe owe farmers too,” Ojha had expressed.

He had also opined that if the Venezuela oil for rice deal had continued, the industry would have stood a better chance as millers would have more funds in

their coffers and farmers would have received their payments.

This publication was informed at that time that despite the many complaints, millers have been obtaining success in finding alternative markets for the rice to be sold. Ojha had, however, observed that more assistance should still come from Central Government.

“The Government said last year they give $23 billion for rice farmers, but we nah hear back nothing more – this year budget they say $6 billion. In the PPP Government, they used to help we with some loans, but this Government not helping,” the rice miller had expressed.

This newspaper also related that many of the commercial banks were reportedly reluctant to offer millers re-financed loans.

On this issue, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had told Guyana Times that after his meetings with farmers on the Essequibo Coast, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had made several recommendations to the Government on the best measures to sustain the deteriorating rice industry.

“We made nine recommendations as to how they could help the rice indus-

Rice farmer Mahendra Tularam

try survive. They have not even looked at those recommendations, some of these don’t cost any money to the treasury,” Jagdeo had stated.

It was explained that many rice farmers would have taken out loans, with some pledging their homes and other assets which have led to some becoming bankrupt.

The former President had observed that this situation occurred twice in this country previously and posited that in previous times, loans were allowed to be refinanced.

“We allowed the commercial banks to re-negotiate their loans without a penalty, without it being classified. The banks did that, they gave a write-off on the part of their interest and some on principal and they

restored the loan, so people had longer to pay and they saved their houses [and] saved their equipment.”

“This Government could tomorrow do that, it would not cost them a cent, but they just don’t have any desire to do it,” emphasised the former President.

Another recommendation given to Government was to “waive the taxes on input or for Government lands on the MMA [Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary] scheme where people have to pay their rentals for the land.”

The former President had surmised that helping the rice millers through “credit facilities” would be one of the ways of facilitating the payment of farmers on time. In the meantime, farmers have continued to complain about the threat to their livelihood.

During a visit to Leguan in February, Guyana Times was told that a depleted rice acreage in addition to nonpayment by millers forced many farmers to withdraw money from their savings while others had to sell off significant portions of their livestock.

Arjune Raghuber said that the miller owed him $350,000 while 29-year-old Mahendra Tularam claimed that he was owed $730,000.

Tularam had called for the

enforcement of the Rice Factory Act which he opined would compel millers to pay what was owed to farmers.

The farmer had further explained that millers should pay half of the money to farmers in two weeks and the rest was supposed to be paid in 42 days.

Carifesta Ave crash leaves 2 injured

T

wo persons are now injured following a two-vehicle collision along Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, on Monday evening.

The incident occurred around 20:30h in the vicinity of the Vlissingen Road/Carifesta Avenue intersection.

Guyana Times understands vehicle PMM 9740 reportedly jumped the stoplight on Vlissingen Road then smashed into a route 44 minibus BSS 528 which was heading up East Coast Demerara.

Both drivers sustained minor injuries.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, march 22, 2016

ARCHIE

Professional changes are within reach. Pursue your (March 21- goals instead of just dreaming April 19) about them. Call in favours and connect with people you have worked with in the past.

ARIES

Personal adjustments will

dilbert

TAURUS eliminate stress. Update your (April 20- resume so it fits current trends May 20) and shows off your versatility. Do whatever it takes to improve your relationships with peers and family members.

Communicate your ideas GEMINI (May 21- and collaborate with people who share your concerns. Get June 20)

personal obligations out of the way before taking on more responsibility. If something confuses you, ask questions.

CANCER

Peanuts

(June 21July 22)

Ask for favours and offer incentives. Do whatever is necessary to improve your living conditions. Love is highlighted, and greater security will result if you nurture an important relationship.

Protect your status, posiLEO tion and reputation. Taking on (July 23additional responsibilities will Aug. 22) show off your attributes. Don’t let a personal relationship interfere with your professional dreams. Call in favours.

Share your intentions VIRGO with people who have some(Aug. 23thing to offer. A business trip Sept. 22) will help you get what you want. Follow through with your plans regardless of what others do.

Calvin and Hobbes

Do your own thing. Avoid LIBRA (Sept. 23- pressure by making it clear Oct. 23) what you will and will not do.

Keep your assets and plans a secret until you have worked out a flawless presentation.

SUDOKU TODAY’S WORD – CONCEAL

Keep busy and don’t let SAGITTARIUS anyone railroad you into tak(Nov. 23- ing on responsibilities that Dec. 21) don’t belong to you. An unusual idea of yours will put you in a good position.

(CONCEAL: kun-SEEL: To hide.)

Average mark 17 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 27 or more words in CONCEAL? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD – PROMISSORY poor posy prim primo prior priory prism prissy prom promisor promo

prosy pyrosis rimy romp room roomy ropy rosy oops orris miosis

miry miso miss missy moor mopy moss mossy sorry spoor spry

If you offer help, you will SCORPIO get something unusual in (Oct. 24return.

A partnership will Nov. 22) bring you closer to your goals.

Change how or where you live. Negotiations will lead to success.

solution for Last Published Puzzle

Deal with domestic matCAPRICORN ters and personal invest(Dec. 22- ments. An important reJan. 19) lationship will need to be nurtured to avoid discord.

Added responsibility will lead to benefits. Expand your interests.

Tend to your obligations AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- and listen to complaints beFeb. 19) ing made. Don’t give problems you face with a friend or relative time to fester. Offering a fair solution will make you look good.

Money, legal and health isPISCES (Feb. 20- sues will crop up if you are inMarch 20) dulgent or take on too much.

Negotiations will turn in your favour if you suggest a counteroffer with incentives or perks.

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

Struggling Argentina relieved to have Messi back – Aguero

A

rgentina were relieved to have Lionel Messi back from injury having made a troubled start to their South American 2018 World Cup qualifiers without their best player, striker Sergio Aguero said on Monday.

Messi missed the first four rounds last year and Argentina, 2014 World Cup finalists in Brazil, got only five points after a defeat by Ecuador, draws with Paraguay and Brazil and a win over Colombia, leaving them sixth in the 10-nation group.

“It’s total relief to play with Messi,” Aguero said on his arrival in Buenos Aires from Manchester to prepare for matches away to Chile in Santiago on Thursday and at home to Bolivia five days later.

“Leo is always important for us and it’s obvious we’re happy when he’s here because it’s really nice to play with him,” Aguero told reporters after flying in with Manchester City team mate Pablo Zabaleta and Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo.

Aguero said he was shocked by pictures show-

Lionel Messi

ing the state of the pitch at the Mario Kempes stadium in Cordoba, where Argentina will host Bolivia, after it was damaged by recent rock concerts, including an Iron Maiden gig.

Groundsmen are working against the clock to get the pitch into shape although the Argentine FA’s (AFA) decision to take the team around the country rather than play all home matches at River Plate stadium in the capital was made over a month ago.

“When you see that you

are shocked because we’re not accustomed to it. We’ll have to see how it is and think we’re playing in the juniors,” Aguero said.

“It’s nice to play in different places for the fans but when you look at the photo you think, ‘What happened here?’ It leaves an impression on you, it’s a pitch where everyone knows the national team is going to play.”

The top four teams in the South American qualifiers after 18 rounds are completed at the end of 2017 qualify for the finals in Russia while the fifth goes into an intercontinental playoff.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, deprived through injury of midfielder Enzo Perez and possibly also Juventus striker Paulo Dybala, has called up Lautaro Acosta of local first division side Lanus, the AFA said on Monday.

The 28-year-old, who won the under-20 World Cup in 2007 and an Olympic football gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, earned his first senior call-up after helping Lanus beat Boca Juniors 2-0 in the Argentine league on Sunday. (Reuters Sport)

Rosberg wins dramatic season-opener in Melbourne

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Nico Rosberg during his winning performance in Melbourne (Reuters photo)

ico Rosberg won a dramatic Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after a bungled tyre strategy dashed Sebastian Vettel’s chances of a season-opening triumph and Fernando Alonso survived a spectacular crash that left his McLaren wrecked.

Rosberg’s 15th Formula One victory was also his fourth in succession after the German Mercedes driver won the final three races of last season.

Pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton battled back to

Azarenka stuns erratic Williams in Indian Wells final

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ormer world number one Victoria Azarenka took advantage of an error-prone display by Serena Williams to win her second BNP Paribas Open title with a 6-4 6-4 victory in Sunday’s final at Indian Wells in California.

The 26-year-old Belarusian broke the topseeded American once in the opening set and twice in the second before wrapping up the win in just under 90 minutes in front of a stunned crowd at the sunbaked Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

World number one Williams, seeking a third title at Indian Wells after winning her second a distant 15 years ago, was badly let down by her forehand, though she did mount a late fightback and broke Azarenka in the eighth game of the second set for 3-5.

The American came close to levelling with Azarenka, serving for the match, wobbling at 15-40 but the Belarusian fired an ace, got to deuce when Williams hit a backhand long and clinched

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka share a moment at the presentation

victory when her opponent hit a forehand service return long.

A visibly emotional Azarenka, the 13th seed who claimed her first Indian Wells crown in 2012, was able to celebrate her fourth victory over Williams in a WTA final, and a 19th career title.

“I had no doubt in my

mind that I will give everything I can,” Azarenka told ESPN in a courtside interview about the see-sawing final game of the match.

“I couldn’t control how she was going to play and she was throwing some bombs there.

“But I stayed tough because it’s the only way to win, to stay strong, to keep

19

doing what’s been working. I just wanted to work hard, give it my all, and it worked.”

Williams was also emotional, having won at Indian Wells in 1999 and 2001 before taking a self-imposed 14-year exile from the event amidst allegations of racial abuse from fans after her sister Venus withdrew minutes before their semi-final showdown.

“It was really hard, the last moment I had here wasn’t the greatest moment, so thank you so much,” the 34-year-old told the crowd.

“Thank you so much for the cheers, I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

Williams, a 21-time grand slam singles champion, made a poor start, trailing 0-40 on her usually powerful serve in the first game of the match before double faulting to be broken.

Azarenka clinched the opening set in 41 minutes and then continued her dominance, breaking Williams twice to take control of the second set. (Reuters Sport)

secure a Mercedes one-two after the defending world champion recovered from a chaotic start that pushed him back to sixth at the first turn to finish eight seconds behind his team mate.

Four-times world champion Vettel came third for Ferrari after leading for much of the race, but the German’s victory hopes faded with an aggressive tyre strategy that fell flat after the race was halted due to Alonso’s crash.

“The strategy was crucial today, so I’m really thankful the team did a good job on that,” ecstatic German Rosberg told reporters.

“The car’s just been unreal today... We’ve got to keep an eye on the red guys (Ferrari), they are very close as you saw today.”

Ferrari enjoyed a brilliant start, with Vettel able to carve through the frontrow occupying Mercedes duo on the run to the first turn.

His Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen also got off to a flyer and he darted up the side to claim second place as Rosberg’s rear left tyre made contact with Hamilton’s front wing.

COMPOUND ISSUES

Vettel appeared poised for an unlikely win but the race turned on its head when Alonso crashed into Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez at high speed going into turn three of the 18th lap.

The Spaniard’s car careened into a barrier and was smashed to pieces before it flipped, rolled and flew end-over-end into another barrier.

Alonso walked away from the wreckage but the red flag came out to halt the

race for around 10 minutes as track staff swept away debris and repaired the barriers.

During the break, Mercedes opted to run both cars on medium compound tyres and rode them to the finish, while Ferrari took the more aggressive route, sticking with their supersofts, which were quicker but ultimately required another stop.

The mistake proved costly and was compounded when Vettel’s next tyre change was botched, while Raikkonen’s race was over on lap 23 when an engine failure forced him out and he reached the pits with flames shooting out of the top of his car.

“Obviously the red flag didn’t help us,” Vettel said.

“We went for the aggressive route but maybe with hindsight we may have gone with something else,” the German added of the tyre strategy.

New team Haas, the first American-owned F1 outfit to race in 30 years, celebrated points on debut, with Frenchman Romain Grosjean finishing sixth behind Red Bull’s fourthplaced Daniel Ricciardo and Felipe Massa in a Williams.

Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, and the Toro Rosso duo of Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen completed the top 10, with Renault rookie Jolyon Palmer narrowly missing out on a point on debut.

Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat was among six cars that failed to finish including Manor Racing’s Indonesian rookie Rio Haryanto.

Haryanto’s team mate and fellow debutant Pascal Wehrlein was last of the 16 finishers. (Reuters Sport)

20

guyanatimesGY.com

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

Zampa and Khawaja help Matthews, Taylor blow scrappy Australia to victory away Bangladesh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup…

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Adam Zampa is mobbed by his team-mates after picking up a wicket (IDI/Getty Images)

laws in Australia’s World T20 campaign remained evident in a scrappy victory to effectively eliminate Bangladesh from the tournament in Bangalore.

Adam Zampa and Usman Khawaja produced noteworthy performances at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but others were less convincing ahead of more demanding meetings with Pakistan and India.

Bangladesh never quite seemed confident enough to push through for victory, particularly after the the loss of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny due to queries over their bowling actions. Mustafizur Rahman bowled beautifully for his captain Mashrafe Mortaza, however, and in doing so delivered another low score for Australia’s leader Steven Smith, who seems to be wrestling with his game only a matter of weeks after being thrust into the T20 captaincy ahead of Aaron Finch.

Even when Glenn Maxwell had taken Australia to a position where they needed only nine from the final three overs, there seemed a certain lack of poise about the chase. Maxwell charged mindlessly at Shakib Al Hasan to be stumped, then second ball John Hastings was dropped when he pushed hard-handed to cover. A further run out chance was offered before Hastings was caught in the deep trying for the winning runs. Untidy was one word that came to mind.

Smith owed much to Zampa for bowling an excellent spell through the middle of the innings, just as Bangladesh seemed capable of building on a hesitant start. Australia’s seam attack was not exactly threatening on a slow Bangalore surface, and it was left to Zampa to fashion a trio of wickets - he also had a chance dropped by Mitchell Marsh in his first over. Zampa’s effort, on a surface that did not spin all that much, opened further questions about why the selectors saw fit only to take the seldom used leftarm spin of Ashton Agar to the tournament alongside him.

As he had done against New Zealand, Khawaja

looked by far Australia’s most assured batsman in these climes. He moved into gear with the sweetest straight six imaginable in Mashrafe Mortaza’a first over of the innings, and found gaps with the sort of ease he has demonstrated since the start of the Australian summer. Khawaja was annoyed to be bowled behind his pads when the target was well in hand, and his exit betrayed the unease of others in a batting line-up conspicuously lacking in his ability to subtly adjust to the slower pace of the ball.

Australia had brought Hastings in for Agar in the only change to the side that lost their opening match in Dharamsala after the tour selectors, Darren Lehmann and Mark Waugh, decided against recalling Aaron Finch. Bangladesh replaced Taskin and Sunny with the left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib and offspinning allrounder Shuvagata Hom, both of whom only joined the team on Sunday night.

Mortaza’s team were also missing Tamim Iqbal due to illness, with Mohammad Mithun moving up the order to replace him. Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled usefully

with the new ball and Shane Watson found the knack for wickets at the other end to coax catches from Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman.

Hastings and Marsh were somewhat more expensive, leaving Smith to call on Zampa.

His first wicket was a gift - Mithun arrowing a short ball straight to Watson at deep midwicket - but from there Zampa grew into his spell, and did not buckle when Hom went after him with a towering six followed by another boundary. Next ball he attacked the stumps and won an lbw verdict, and before the spell was over he had also accounted for Shakib, beaten for length and bounce.

From there Smith would have hoped for a modest chase, but Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim found pace more comfortable to deal with than Zampa’s spin, and played with some invention to find gaps on the off side and ransack 44 runs from the final three overs of the innings. A target of 157 was at least 20 more runs than Smith would have budgeted for earlier in the evening. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh innings Mohammad Mithun c Watson b Zampa 23 Soumya Sarkar c Maxwell b Watson 1 Sabbir Rahman c Faulkner b Watson 12 Shakib Al Hasan c Coulter-Nile b Zampa 33 Shuvagata Hom lbw b Zampa 13 Mahmudullah not out 49 Mushfiqur Rahim† not out 15 10 Extras (lb 7, w 3) Total (5 wickets; 20 overs) 156 Did not bat: Mashrafe Mortaza*, Saqlain Sajib, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-25, 3-62, 4-78, 5-105 Bowling: NM Coulter-Nile 4-0-21-0, SR Watson 4-0-312, JW Hastings 3-0-24-0, MR Marsh 1-0-12-0, GJ Maxwell 1-0-12-0, A Zampa 4-0-233, JP Faulkner 3-0-26-0.

Australia innings UT Khawaja b Al-Amin Hossain 58 SR Watson run out (Sabbir Rahman/†Mushfiqur Rahim) 21 SPD Smith* b Mustafizur Rahman 14 DA Warner c & b Shakib Al Hasan 17 GJ Maxwell st †Mushfiqur Rahim b Shakib Al Hasan 26 MR Marsh c Shakib Al Hasan b Mustafizur Rahman 6 JP Faulkner not out 5 JW Hastings c Soumya Sarkar b Shakib Al Hasan 3 PM Nevill† not out 1 Extras (lb 2, w 4) 6 Total (7 wickets; 18.3 overs) 157 Did not bat: NM CoulterNile, A Zampa Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-95, 3-115, 4-119, 5-135, 6-148, 7-152 Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 1-0-9-0, Mahmudullah 2-0-220, Al-Amin Hossain 2-0-14-1, Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-302, Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-273, Saqlain Sajib 3.3-0-40-0, Shuvagata Hom 2-0-13-0.

Hayley Matthews sweeps the ball (ICC/Getty Images)

C

aptain Stafanie Taylor produced a solid all-round effort as West Indies Women strolled to their second win of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup with a convincing 49-run triumph over Bangladesh Women here Sunday.

Opting to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, West Indies Women gathered 148 for four off their 20 overs, with teenaged opener Hayley Matthews top-scoring with a career-best 41 and Taylor supporting with 40.

Aggressive stroke-maker Deandra Dottin chipped in with 24 while Stacy-Ann King finished unbeaten on 20.

Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter was the best bowler with three for 27.

In reply, Bangladesh Women were undermined by Taylor’s haul of three for 13 and succumbed for 99 all out in the penultimate over.

Taylor was supported by off-spinner Matthews (2-16) and medium pacer Dottin (217), as Bangladesh women struggled throughout their innings to keep up with the required run rate.

Eighteen-year-old wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana topscored with 27 but was the only player to pass 20 and just one of four in double figures.

The victory put West Indies on top of Group B on four points with India Women, Pakistan Women and England Women all

locked on two points.

Coming off a narrow fourrun victory against Pakistan Women in their opening game last Wednesday, West Indies Women started strongly with Matthews and Taylor posting 67 off 70 balls for the first wicket.

The 18-year-old Matthews faced 42 balls and struck four fours while Taylor faced 41 deliveries and counted two fours and a six.

Matthews was in sight of her maiden T20I half-centu-

ry when she was stumped in the 12th over to give Akter her first wicket.

Britney Cooper put on 20 for the second wicket with Taylor before she was caught and bowled by Akter in the 14th over for nine and Taylor finally perished in the 16th over, giving Akter her third wicket.

On 98 for three, the Caribbean side were given a final push by Dottin and King who put on 32 off 19 balls.

Dottin struck two fours in a busy 11-ball knock while King counted two fours off 15 balls.

Bangladesh Women started brightly with their openers Sanjida Islam (14) and Sharmin Akter (11) putting on 24 off 21 deliveries.

Once they were separated, however, Bangladesh Women lost wickets steadily as Matthews and Taylor crippled the top order with excellent spells.

They were in with a shout at 55 for two in the 11th over but eight wickets fell for 44 runs to kill off their chances.

West Indies Women take on England Women in their next game in Dharamsala on Thursday. (Windies Cricket)

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES WOMEN H Matthews st Nigar Sultana 41 b Nahida Akter *S Taylor c Lata Mondal b 40 Nahida Akter B Cooper c & b Nahida Akter 9 D Dottin st Nigar Sultana 24 b Rumana S King not out 20 5 S Campbelle not out Extras (b2, lb1, w6) 9 TOTAL (4 wkts, 20 overs) 148 Did not bat: +M Aguilleira, S Quintyne, A Mohammed, A Fletcher, S Connell.

Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Matthews), 2-87 (Cooper), 3-98 (Taylor), 4-130 (Dottin) Bowling: Jahanara Alam 4-034-0 (w1), Salma Khatun 4-023-0 (w1), Rumana Ahmed 4-0-31-1, Fahima Khatun 4-030-0, Nahida Akter 4-0-27-3.

BANGLADESH WOMEN Sanjida Islam c Dottin b Taylor

14

Sharmin Akhter c Dottin b Matthews 11 Fargana Hoque b Matthews 17 Salma Khatun run out 8 Rumana Ahmed c Fletcher b Taylor 4 +Nigar Sultana lbw b Fletcher 27 *Jahanara Alam lbw b Taylor 0 Fahima Khatun run out 1 Lata Mondal c wkp Aguilleira b Dottin 1 Ritu Moni lbw b Dottin 0 Nahida Akter not out 2 Extras (b1, lb1, w11, nb1) 14 TOTAL (all out, 18.3 overs) 99 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Sanjida Islam), 2-35 (Sharmin Akhter), 3-55 (Salma Khatun), 4-55 (Fargana Hoque), 5-70 (Rumana Ahmed), 6-71 (Jahanara Alam), 7-76 (Fahima Khatun), 8-82 (Lata Mondal), 9-82 (Ritu Moni), 10-99 (Nigar Sultana) Bowling: Connell 2-0-16-0 (w1), Taylor 3-0-13-3, Matthews 4-0-16-2, Dottin 4-0-17-2 (w5, nb1), Mohammed 3-021-0, Fletcher 2.3-0-14-1.

4 Russian athletes test positive for banned drug

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our Russian athletes have tested positive for the banned drug meldonium.

At least 16 Russian sportspeople, including tennis player Maria Sharapova, have tested positive for the substance since it was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on 1 January.

The latest four are yet to be named.

Russia’s athletics federation is suspended from international competition for its alleged involvement in widespread doping, with a

decision on potential reinstatement due in May. Dmitry Shlyakhtin, head of the All-Russia Athletic Federation, said the latest positive tests will not “aggravate” that “complex” decision.

Russia’s international ban - which includes this summer’s Rio Olympic Games - applies only to its athletics federation and followed a Wada report last year that alleged “statesponsored doping”.

Last week, Russia’s fourtime breaststroke world champion Yuliya Efimova

failed an out-of-competition test.

World number seven Sharapova, meanwhile, failed a drugs test at the Australian Open.

The 28-year-old said she had been taking meldonium since 2006 for health reasons.

According to Wada, a substance may be “considered” for the prohibited list if it meets two of the following three criteria: A substance can be added to the prohibited list without first featuring on the watch list. (BBC Sport)

21

YELLOW PAGES tuesDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

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All the winners of the Kraft skill tournament pose with their trophies

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T

he curtains came down on the Kraft Toucan Industries Ltd Junior Skill level tournament which was organised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel.

Benjamin Mekdeci was crowned champion of Category ‘A’ only losing one game in the entire tournament.

In his final match he defeated Alec Melville in straight set at 11/4, 12/10, 11/8. The other two matches contested in Category ‘A’ on the final day were much closer battles.

Larissa Wiltshire had to call on all her reserves to secure a hard fought 3-1 win at 11/3, 9/11, 12/10, 11/5 while Shomari Wiltshire had to go the full five games with Alex Cheeks before finally winning 11/5, 10/12, 11/9, 3/11, 11/7.

In Category ‘B’ Makeda Harding finished the tournament without conceding a game as she defeated Rebecca Low 11/7, 11/6, 11/4.

Samuel Ince-Carvahal was finally tested in his Category ‘C’ match against Gianni Carpenter. He had to call on all of his skills before

Benjamin Mekdeci

winning in four very close games 7/11, 11/7, 12/10, 17/15. Michael Alphonso had a comfortable straight set victory against Demetrius De Abreu 11/8, 11/5, 11/4 while Lucas Jonas defeated Dominic Colins in four games 11/7, 8/11, 11/6, 11/8.

In Category ‘D’ Jason Gomes earned a hard fought victory against the much improved Aliyah Persaud 10/12, 11/9, 11/3, 10/12, 11/5 while Kirsten Gomes defeated Madison Fernandes 11/9, 11/4, 11/7.

Results of all of the matches were as follows.

Category A: Benjamin Mekdeci beat Alec Melville 11/4, 12/10,11/8, Larissa

Wiltshire beat Taylor Fernandes 11/3, 9/11, 12/10, 11/5, Shomari Wiltshire beat Alex Cheeks 11/5, 10/12, 11/9, 3/11, 11/7 Category B: Makeda Harding beat Rebecca Low 11/7, 11/6, 11/4 Category C: Samuel Ince-Carvahal beat Gianni Carpenter 7/11, 11/7, 12/10, 17/15, Michael Alphonso beat Demetrius De Abreu 11/8, 11/5, 11/4, Lucas Jonas beat Dominic Collins 11/7, 8/11, 11/6, 11/8 Category D: Jason Gomes beat Aliyah Persaud 10/12, 11/9, 11/3, 10/12, 11/5, Kirsten Gomes beat Madison Fernandes 11/9, 11/4, 11/7 Category E: Nechemiyah Levans defeated James Mekdeci 11/6, 10/12, 11/9, Nechemiyah Levans beat Nathan Rahaman 11/7, 11/8 Category F: Mashal Allicock beat Chad De Abreu 5/11, 11/8, 11/0, Mikhail Persaud beat Liam Carpenter 11/4, 11/3 Category G: Teija Edwards beat Beau Fernandes 11/6, 12/14, 11/6, Jacinta Adams beat Geovanna Dos Santos 11/5, 11/6 Category I: Noah Rahaman beat Grant Fernandes 11/8, 11/6

Chase Academy continues support for sport

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Mekdeci crowned Kraft junior skill champion

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Henry Chase presents a token to a parent in the presence of a few of the Carifta athletes and other students

C

hase Academy on Monday presented tokens to the parents of the five students who will represent Guyana at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada over the Easter Weekend.

The team which was scheduled to depart at 01:30h this morning, have

five student/athletes out of Chase Academy.

Those students are are Kenisha Phillips, Samuel Lynch, Matthew McKenzie, Claudrice McKoy and Jeremy Garrett.

There events are as follows, Phillips (Girls U-18 100m and 200m) will contest sprint events, while

Lynch (400m and 800m Boys U 18), McKenzie (1500m and 5000m Boys U 20), McKoy (1500m and 3000m Girls U18) and Jeremy Garrett (800m and 1500m Boys U 18) will be under starters orders in the middle and long distance races.

22 GABF boss blasts refs, hopes for NBA roundup… replay of Road to Mecca final Mavs top Blazers GUYANATIMESGY.COM

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

P

The Retrieve Raiders (in grey) walk off the court while the Bounty Colts look on in bewilderment

resident of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds released a statement delving into the issues that plague basketball especially after the disastrous end to the Road to Mecca III National Club Basketball Championship that ended in a no-contest on Saturday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In the letter, Hinds apologised to the fans and sponsors while highlighting the poor officiating of the referees.

The GABF boss also expressed hope of having the teams play the final at a later date.

Here is the full letter in detail: The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) deeply regrets the fact that the 2016 National Club Championships Finals: Colts versus Raiders was halted in the 4th quarter of the game, for this we apologize to our fans and sponsors.

The 2016 National Club Championships - Road to Mecca III was played with a high degree of competitiveness and was presented to the Guyanese public with the intent of keeping high standards, maintaining discipline and providing a great experience to the supporters

of Basketball. Fans filled the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday, March 19th to watch the high powered and high quality game.

The GABF was on the verge of attaining these goals when during the fourth quarter of the finals, an unwarranted (as per the video replay) foul call made by one of the referees, followed by three technical fouls from the same referee against Retrieve Raiders, a club based in Linden, resulted in an exciting and competitive game coming to a premature end.

When the initial foul call was made, Colts were ahead by three points during the last segment of the fourth quarter, so it was vitally important that during this stage of the game that calls by referees are warranted, even more so during the deciding period of a high intensity, competitive finals, with the winner receiving $500,000.

Having the good fortune of E-Networks filming the Finals allowed for a review of the video of the initial call by the referee. It was clear to all who viewed the initial foul call that it was unwarranted and absolutely not a foul. All who viewed the replay, including Mr. Dexter Douglas (President Guyana Basketball Official Council)

and one of the finals game referees: Mr. Rawle Toney, another experienced referee, and countless others including myself, were of the view that no call should have been made by the referee.

Just as a motorist should not be penalized by the police for not stopping at a green light, a foul call should not be made against a player for catching an uncontested rebound. Moreover, if the driver expresses his or her mild objection to the stop by the police officer, and as a result of this objection the driver receives a traffic ticket; it is an abuse of authority by the police officer - I think Freddie Kissoon will agree with this point.

The ensuing technical fouls after the initial call were seen to be highly questionable, except for the last technical foul, as the foul call created a disrupted state of affairs that was virtually impossible to continue - with teams leaving their bench before the game was over, among other infractions.

As much as we cannot condone indiscipline, errant calls by referees should not be given a pass merely because the person making the call is a referee.

Games between Linden and Georgetown or between top-ranked clubs from Linden

and Georgetown are competitive as has been the case over the last eight months, resulting in the most thrilling and competitive basketball Guyana has to offer. Thus, referees have to be “thick skinned” and recognize that Basketball is a players’ game.

Referees ultimately have to at all times recognize that sports are a stage for the players to perform and that the important role for referees and umpires is to ensure compliance with the rules.

Referees have been the targets of harsh and insulting attacks from coaches, players and fans of the sport, both on and off the court. The GABF will have to put measures in place to eliminate or significantly mitigate the occurrence of abuse targeting referees. The problem is not limited to games between Linden and Georgetown, where some referees refuse to officiate, but also extends to Inter-Association games.

Coaches and players disgrace the sport of basketball by insulting, berating and ridiculing referees. This practice must stop.

The GABF will meet shortly to resolve this matter in the best interest of our affiliates, sponsors, clubs, fans and the image of basketball in Guyana.

My expectation is that the 2016 National Club Championships Finals will be replayed using the best referees locally and from the Caribbean region.

Alan Dershowitz noted in his book Supreme Injustice “ In order to be fair, justice must be blind - not to the facts, the law, or even the policy implications of its decisions, but most certainly to the name and party affiliations of the litigants.

Likewise, we in the GABF have to ensure that our affiliates act in a manner that is fair and impartial.

in overtime

D

Dirk Nowitzki

irk Nowitzki scored 40 points and Deron Williams had 31 points and 16 assists, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 132-120 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Nowitzki and Williams capped season-high scoring efforts with the first 11 points in overtime. Williams made a tiebreaking 3-pointer before Nowitzki scored eight straight points.

The Mavericks’ victory moved them within a halfgame of the Trail Blazers for the sixth playoff position in the Western Conference.

Dallas has 12 games to play, and Portland 11.

The Mavericks (35-35) also gained a tiebreaker by winning the first two of three games in the season series against the Trail Blazers (36- 35). The teams play again in Portland on Wednesday.

Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 26 points.

Allen Crabbe scored 24 points, and C.J. McCollum had 22. Miles Plumlee had 14 points and 19 rebounds.

RAPTORS 105, MAGIC 100: DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points, leading Toronto to the win. Luis Scola had 20 points as the Raptors moved within one game of idle Cleveland for

the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Evan Fournier and Victor Oladipo each had 21 points for Orlando, which lost its seventh straight game in Toronto and has now lost 13 of the last 14 meetings with the Raptors.

A 3-pointer from Fournier with 1:11 remaining trimmed Toronto’s lead to 97-96, but DeRozan responded with a fl oating jumper with 53.9 seconds left and added the free throw after being fouled by Ersan Ilyasova.

PELICANS 109, CLIPPERS 105: Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, helping the injury-riddled Pelicans to the victory.

Omer Asik scored a season-high 15 points and tied his season best with 14 rebounds for New Orleans, while Dante Cunningham scored a season-high 19 points. Reserve guard Tim Frazier added a seasonhigh 17 points.

Chris Paul and J.J. Redick each scored 24 points, and Paul also had 13 assists for the Clippers, who lost in Memphis on Saturday night and were playing their second game in less than 24 hours.

Los Angeles missed 19 3-point attempts and 13 free throws. (Columbus Dispatch)

France "must move Persaud’s 137 helps Blairmont to innings and 295-run win on" ahead of emotional return − Deschamps BCB/2016 Memorex U-17, 2-innings cricket…

Garfield Benjamin

Emanuel Seecharran

he 2016 Memorex Under-17, Twoinnings Cricket Competition, organised by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) began last weekend with matches throughout Berbice.

The major highlight for the weekend was Deimanauth Persaud slam-

ming 137 to help Blairmont Community Center (BCC) trounce Achievers by an innings and 295 runs.

Persaud’s knock which was the highest score of the early matches, included 16 fours and eight sixes helped BCC amass 354 for 7 declared.

The right-handed

T

Deimanauth Persaud

Persaud along with Berbice Under-15 player Nigel Deodat who made 55 not out help BCC reach their first innings total in response to Achievers paltry 24 all out.

When Achievers bat-

ted again, they fell for 35 to lose by an innings and a whopping 295 runs. Former Berbice Under-15 left arm pacer Javed Karim took a hat-trick in Achievers first innings.

In another match, offspinner Antonio Kempadoo took 6 for 21 from 8 Overs to help Port Mourant bowl out Whim National for 120 in their first innings.

Emanuel Seecharran slammed 110 not out to guide Port Mourant to first innings points and 225 for 9 at the close of play.

Tucber Park bowled out East Bank for 105 in their first innings, last year’s Guyana Under-15 selectee Garfield Benjamin hit 100 not out to see Tucber Park to 185 for 5 declared. East Bank held on for a draw, reach 52 for 7 at the close.

F

rance manager Didier Deschamps says the team must “move forward” as they prepare to make an emotional return to the Stade de France.

The stadium was one of the targets in the November 2015 attacks on Paris that left 130 people dead.

France, who were playing Germany when the attacks took place, return to the stadium to face Russia on 29 March.

“No one can forget what happened, but there’s no need to talk about it,” said former Chelsea midfielder Deschamps.

“We lived very emotional moments, all together. Now we must move forward. All safety measures will be taken.”

The France and Germany squads both slept at the stadium after the 13 November attacks, with the sound of explosions outside clearly audible inside the ground during the game.

The 81,338-capacity Stade de France has staged Six Nations rugby union matches - including Saturday’s game when England claimed the Grand Slam - since the attacks.

France will host Euro 2016 between 10 June and 10 July, with the Stade de France the venue for the opening match of the tournament between France and Romania.

France are away to the Netherlands on Friday before hosting Russia on Tuesday. Paris. (BBC Sport)

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

guyanatimesGY.com

23

Golden Jaguars tackle Anguilla tonight at Providence ... “we are hungry for success” – Shabazz

From left: Anguilla’s captain Kevin Hawley, Head Coach Leon Jeffers, Team manager Nigel Linton, Jamaal Shabazz, Wayne Dover, Gregory Richardson and Christopher Nurse

By Akeem G reene

T

he road to glory in the 2016 ScotiaBank Men’s Caribbean Cup Championship begins tonight at the National Stadium, Providence when Guyana’s National Football team, the Golden Jaguars taking on Anguilla in their first match.

Co-coach of the team Jamaal Shabazz explained that they are hungry for success as this match is far more than it seems as an excellent showing here can see the team qualify-

ing for the Gold Cup. “For us, we are hungry for success because we know we have the potential and talent and we want to be in the gold cup because we have some of the best players in CONCACAF; so this is very important for us and this first game against Anguilla our lives depend on it, our careers depend on it, because we want to go to the next level”, Shabazz explained.

He added We have set a specific criteria in terms of players playing, playing

GFSA hosts matches at Crabwood Creek Sunday

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he Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSA) will field three teams at Crabwood Creek on Easter Sunday.

Floodlights Legends, Floodlights and Trophy Stall Angels will do battle with Crabwood Creek/ Corriverton Masters, Crabwood Creek Open and Karibee Girls. Last weekend Floodlights played undefeated at the 2016 Florida Cup Masters tournament played in Fort Lauderdale, USA. They defeated New York Better Hope, Tri-State Masters, local team Regal in the preliminary round,

Orlando Florida in the semifinals and South Florida in the finals to take the title.

The finals was played at USA only cricket stadium in Lauderhill.

These three feature 15/15 overs softball matches playing this Sunday at the Crabwood Creek cricket ground are being held as a fundraiser for the renovation of the washroom of the Crabwood Creek Primary School.

Matches will start at 9:30h and conclude at 18:00h. Admission is $200 and there will be over 50 gate prizes to be won by spectators.

being active…the ability to confirm to tactics and the ability to integrate in the team off the field and that has not eased enough how difficult it” With the advent of the Stag Elite League, there are more locally based players, pressing for a space in the final squad and the coach explained that reaching the final squad was extremely difficult.

“At least 63.6% of the starting 11 will be players out of the Stag elite league…this speaks volumes by the work that has been done by the local coaches and it’s so different when you have a league and the players are playing week in and week out, so these players come in at a level, comparable to the players from overseas” he further explained.

Co – Coach of the Jaguars, Wayne Dover explained that the side contains several players who

can ignite the Stadium come tomorrow night.

Dover said, “we can light up the match tomorrow where the fans will benefit immensely and we want them to know that tomorrow’s game is more about qualifying and giving them the results that are needed for them to be happy” The last time these two sides meet, the Jaguars decimated the Anguillans with a 14-0 score line, but co-captain Christopher Nurse warned of taking the visitors lightly.

“A lot of people might look back at the last time Guyana played Anguilla and a lot of people will look back at the results and try to compare what the result possibly might be; in terms of preparation we have been thorough”, Nurse revealed.

Guyana is placed in group 5 along Puerto Rico and Anguilla. Actions kick-offs at 19:00h.

tuesDAY, march 22, 2016

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

Golden Jaguars tackle Anguilla tonight at Providence Pg 23

... “we are hungry for success” – Shabazz

The Golden Jaguars aim to win their first game against Anguilla to start their campaign on the right foot

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup…

Matthews, Taylor blow away Bangladesh Pg 20

Stafanie Taylor works one through the off side (ICC/Getty Images)

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